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U.S. Forces Move in on Sadr HQ in Baghdad Suburb
U.S. tanks and armored vehicles briefly circled the offices of rebel Shiâite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in Baghdadâs Sadr City on Saturday, stepping up pressure on the militia leader. Witnesses said at least two tanks took up position near the offices in Sadrâs stronghold in the northeast of the city and gunfire crackled through the district as U.S. helicopters swept overhead. Some said troops had raided the offices, but the U.S. military had no immediate comment. U.S. forces pulled out of the area after less than an hour. The U.S. military has stepped up operations against Sadr in recent days, putting pressure on his militia, known as the Mehdi Army, in the cities of Najaf and Kerbala, south of Baghdad, where the militia took control of the central areas. Earlier on Saturday, Mehdi militiamen fought several gunbattles with British troops in the southern port city of Basra leaving at least two militiamen dead and several British soldiers wounded. British forces also clashed with militia in the town of Amara, north of Basra. Sounds like a cat engaging in mouth play before it kills the mouse. Posted by: Mr. Davis 2004-05-08 |
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