Mar

29

US jets target Shiite areas in Basra

Filed Under World News | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan |

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US forces treaded deeper into the Iraqi government’s fight to damage Shiite militias, launching airstrikes in the southern city of Basra and sacking a missile into the main Shiite stronghold in Baghdad.

The American support happened on Friday as Iraqi troops fought against strong resistance in Basra and vengeance elsewhere in Shiite areas - counting more salvos of rockets or mortars into the US-protected Green Zone, Baghdad.

It was the first time American jets have been called to hit militia positions ever since Iraqi ground forces initiated an operation to clear Basra of the armed groups that have ruled for long.

One militia barrage banged into the headquarters of the Basra police command late on Friday, as per the police officials.

On Friday, US jets struck a building with militia fighters and flamed a mortar team that was firing on Iraqi forces, said British Military spokesman Maj. Tim Holloway.

Most of groups are alleged to receive money, weapons and training from nearby Iran, the world’s most crowded Shiite nation.

The attack in Basra has aggravated a violent reaction – particularly from the Mahdi Army. His followers accuse rival Shiite parties of trying to defeat their movement before local elections.

Their fury has led to a sharp increase in attacks against American troops in Shiite areas subsequent to months of calm after cease-fire, declared by al Sadr declared a unilateral.

On Friday, a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile in the Sadr City district - the Baghdad after gunmen there started fire on an American patrol.

The US military reported that four militants were killed, but Iraqi officials told nine civilians were killed and nine others wounded.

Another US airstrike targeted a rocket-propelled grenade mounted vehicle in the mostly Sunni neighbourhood of Azamiyah, murdering two militants, said the military.

US military officials, speaking on state of anonymity said commanders are cautious of bringing major firepower into Shiite areas could bring more counterattack through Baghdad.

At least two rounds Friday struck the Green Zone offices of Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, murdering two guards and wounding four, said the executive secretary Lubna al-Hashemi.





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