U.S. troops in Iraq targeted some splinter groups of the Mahdi militia and in one battle, killed an estimated 11 jihadists. It appears that one leader of the splinter group was targeted but when U.S. troops came under fire from a larger group, fighter helicopters and jets were called in.
The issue to be seen now is how Sadr will respond to this - he has claimed that splinter groups of his militia are not part of his army but at the same time, he has usually protested this kind of targeting.
Here's the full story.
The issue to be seen now is how Sadr will respond to this - he has claimed that splinter groups of his militia are not part of his army but at the same time, he has usually protested this kind of targeting.
Here's the full story.
Today: December 27, 2007 at 1:25:5 PST
US Troops Kill 11 Mahdi Breakaways
By BRADLEY BROOKS
Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD (AP) -
U.S. 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 months.
It 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 U.S. 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.
Troops approaching the target were fired at with assault rifles and rocket propelled grenade, the military said. They then called in support aircraft. The local police official said at least two U.S. helicopters were used in the attack, along with an unknown number of fighter jets.
The military said no suspects were detained during the raid and no U.S. troops were killed or injured in the operation.
U.S. commanders have in the past said they would not stop targeting splinter elements of the Mahdi Army that they said continue to operate, despite al-Sadr's order.
In early October, U.S. forces killed 25 Shiite militia fighters in Khalis, north of Baghdad, who were believed to be part of a Mahdi Army splinter group
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