Militiamen lay low as life back in Sadr City

An Iraqi soldier stands guard in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 21. An Iraqi military spokesman said that Iraqi troops have moved into Baghdad's Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City to seize control.


Militiamen lay low as life back in Sadr City
By Lee Keath - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday May 21, 2008 18:47:30 EDT

BAGHDAD — Markets were crowded with people, cars packed the streets and there were no Shiite fighters in sight Wednesday in Baghdad’s Sadr City, a positive early sign in Iraqi forces’ bid to impose control in the militia stronghold.

Skirmishes took place in nearby districts — including a clash that the U.S. military said left 11 Shiite gunmen dead — a sign militants were increasing activity elsewhere while peace held in Sadr City.

A force of 10,000 Iraqi soldiers and police, backed by tanks, moved into Sadr City early Tuesday in the biggest government effort yet to impose control in the sprawling neighborhood, the bastion of the Mahdi Army, loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

The way for the deployment was paved by a truce reached last week with the Mahdi Army, which appeared to be holding as the Iraqi forces sought to solidify their hold.

The Iraqi forces assumed a high profile in the streets of Sadr City on Wednesday, but they appeared to be working delicately to avoid provocations.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_sadrcity_052108/



uhc comment: There's no mention of electricity or sewerage in the article, so I guess that's all fixed. :sarcasm: