Thursday, November 02, 2006
Iraqi politicians argue over removal of U.S. roadblocks
Security, Politics
Shi'ite and Sunni leaders argued on Wednesday about a government order lifting U.S. checkpoints around a Baghdad militia stronghold as figures showed more than 40 Iraqi civilians died on average each day in October. American troops ended roadblocks around the Shi'ite slum district of Sadr City after Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered them out. The move followed public friction with Washington before elections in which President George W. Bush's Republicans risk losing control of Congress. Bush said the decision to lift the roadblocks was made with Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, in the room.
After the roadblocks were lifted, backers of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr celebrated in Sadr City, bastion of his Mehdi Army. An aide hailed the end of a "barbaric siege" begun to help find a kidnapped American soldier possibly being held by militiamen. Iraq's Sunni vice president condemned the move. The once-dominant Sunni minority blames sectarian death squad violence on the Mehdi Army.
After the roadblocks were lifted, backers of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr celebrated in Sadr City, bastion of his Mehdi Army. An aide hailed the end of a "barbaric siege" begun to help find a kidnapped American soldier possibly being held by militiamen. Iraq's Sunni vice president condemned the move. The once-dominant Sunni minority blames sectarian death squad violence on the Mehdi Army.
