Iraqi Soldiers Clash With Shiite Militiamen in Baghdad
Iraqi soldiers clashed Friday morning with Shiite militiamen in the eastern Baghdad slum of Sadr City, killing or capturing 30 to 40 fighters in one engagement, according to a statement from the U.S. military. While the statement did not name the militia involved, that area of Baghdad is controlled by the Mahdi Army — a force loyal to firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. One of those taken prisoner was a “high-level” leader of “multiple insurgent cells” responsible for kidnappings and killings, including the deaths of two Iraqi soldiers, the statement said. Full Story