Baghdad security sweep nets top official (55 killed in violence)

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070208/ts_afp/iraq_070208183447

Baghdad security sweep nets top official

by Ammar Karim Thu Feb 8, 1:43 PM ET

BAGHDAD (AFP) - US-backed Iraqi troops engaged in a major security sweep to break illegal militias' reign of terror in Baghdad and arrested the
Iraq health ministry's second highest official.

Meanwhile, 55 people were killed in violence around the country.

The US military accused Hakim al-Zamili, the health ministy's deputy secretary, of providing millions of dollars to the capital's Shiite death squads.

...........
Jaysh Al-Mahdi (JAM) is the Arabic term for the Mahdi Army, a powerful militia group loyal to radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Iraqi Health Minister Ali al-Shamari reacted sharply to the arrest, saying: "This is a violation of the health ministry and of the sovereignty of Iraq."

[antiimperialist]

1. Make that at least 96 dead today

By adding up reports by Reuters Alternet, we can see at least 96 people killed or found dead throughout Iraq, not counting U.S. soldiers:

14 men shot dead in Rafiyaat
7 people killed by mortar in Iskandariya
17 killed in car bomb at market in Aziziya
16 bodies found in Mosul in the past 24 hours
20 bodies found in Baghdad
7 policemen killed in Haditha
3 bodies found in Garma
7 people killed by roadside bomb in SUWAYRA.
5 people (4 policemen and a civilian) shot dead in Baquba

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[superconnected]

2. What a blood bath. Bush is satan.