Soldiers kill 11 militants in Baghdad

Soldiers kill 11 militants in Baghdad
By Bushra Juhi - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday May 21, 2008 13:26:53 EDT

BAGHDAD — American soldiers killed 11 suspected Shiite gunmen in clashes Wednesday in a militia stronghold near Baghdad’s Sadr City, scene of a major Iraqi army clampdown, the U.S. military said.

The U.S. military identified the 11 killed Wednesday in the New Baghdad district as “special group criminals,” terminology it uses to refer to rogue Shiite fighters who defy cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s cease-fire orders.

Four heavily armed militants were killed while traveling in a sport utility vehicle, four others were killed because they engaged in suspicious behavior, and three were killed after they were spotted planting two separate roadside bombs, according to a statement.

Two Iraqi police officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information, said earlier that 11 bystanders, including two street sweepers, were killed and one wounded when joint U.S.-Iraqi troops opened fire after a roadside bombing in the area.

The U.S. military initially denied its forces were involved but later issued a release detailing a series of attacks.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_iraq_052108/