Baghdad under curfew after clashes with Shi段te militias

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2006/June/focusoniraq_June170.xmlｧion=focusoniraq

BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki slapped a curfew on the capital after Shi段te militias clashed with Iraqi and US forces in central Baghdad on Friday. snip

Underscoring the challenges Maliki faces in easing violence that has pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war, militias loyal to radical Shi段te cleric Moqtada Al Sadr exchanged fire with gunmen in the former Sunni insurgent stronghold of Haifa Street.

Iraqi and US forces who rushed to the area became involved in the fighting, police sources said.

As mortar bombs crashed and gunfire crackled in central Baghdad, Maliki, who took office last month, imposed a curfew in the city, banning the movement of people and vehicles from 2 p.m. (1000 GMT) until 6 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Saturday.

It was not clear if it was related to the fighting, which wounded three Iraqi policemen and five Iraqi army soldiers. snip

There was no immediate comment from the US military, which launched a sweep last year to root out rebels in Haifa Street.


Haifa Street is the Baghdad equivalent to our Times Square.

[Eugene]

1. We've turned the corner in Iraq.

In fact we've turned so many corners that we are right back
where we started. U.S. forces are waging open war against
the Mehdi Army for the third time.

[sutz12]

3. Yeah, when you turn enough corners, you're going in circles.

:sarcasm:

[Bluebear]

2. It only shows that the insurgents are desperate.

:eyes:

[sutz12]

4. Great, they took O'Lielly's advice.

:evilgrin:

[maxsolomon]

5. Is it Civil War yet?

we invaded to FREE the Shi'a, and this is how they repay us?

Bring back Saddam! only half :sarcasm:

[NNN0LHI]

6. No civil war. It appears that they have united to me

We are fighting them all now.

Don

[Supersedeas]

7. last throes turning the corner mission accomplished end of combat ops

[dogday]

8. Yet another example of their Stay n Pay plan........... nt