US troops kill 11 Mahdi breakaway members
Friday, 28 December 2007
BAGHDAD, Dec 27 (Agencies): US military forces killed 11 members of a Mahdi Army splinter group southeast of Baghdad early Thursday, American officials said. The raids were the deadliest against breakaway members of the militia in monthst was not immediately clear if the action would impact a six-month freeze on activities that the militia's leader - radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr - called in August and has signaled in the past week he might extend.
In the past, al-Sadr has said that any Mahdi Army members who do not abide by his freeze would no longer be considered members of the militia. But he also has indicated that his fighters have the right to defend themselves if attacked by US forces. Al-Sadr's order to halt activities has been credited by American commanders as one reason violence in
Iraq has fallen dramatically in the past six months. However, it is unclear how much control al-Sadr maintains over his fighters as groups have splintered from the main movement.
Meanwhile, a proposed amnesty bill for a portion of prisoners being held in Iraq's prisons came under criticism from a Sunni lawmaker, who said the matter should be left to the judicial system and that the bill would likely be shelved in parliament.
Thursday's fighting took place in the early morning hours in Kut, 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, a local police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
In the past, al-Sadr has said that any Mahdi Army members who do not abide by his freeze would no longer be considered members of the militia. But he also has indicated that his fighters have the right to defend themselves if attacked by US forces. Al-Sadr's order to halt activities has been credited by American commanders as one reason violence in
Iraq has fallen dramatically in the past six months. However, it is unclear how much control al-Sadr maintains over his fighters as groups have splintered from the main movement.
Meanwhile, a proposed amnesty bill for a portion of prisoners being held in Iraq's prisons came under criticism from a Sunni lawmaker, who said the matter should be left to the judicial system and that the bill would likely be shelved in parliament.
Thursday's fighting took place in the early morning hours in Kut, 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, a local police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.