 Iraqi special forces backed by US advisers launched a raid | The prime minister disavowed the raid, saying he was not consulted before the attack. The Americans said in an announcement that they were looking for a "top illegal armed group commander directing widespread death-squad activity throughout eastern Baghdad." |
into the capital's Sadr Shi'ite slum Wednesday trying to capture a top militia commander wanted for running a Shi'ite death squad. The prime minister disavowed the raid, saying he was not consulted before the attack in which at least four people were killed and 18 wounded. The Americans said in an announcement that they were looking for a "top illegal armed group commander directing widespread death-squad activity throughout eastern Baghdad."
The military said that Mahdi Army militiamen fought back and the Americans called in an air strike and cordoned the sprawling east Baghdad region. |