U.S./Iraqi Forces Raid Mahdi Army Funeral, Arrest 23
Diwaniya, Nov 4, (VOI) – A joint Iraqi-U.S. force raided a funerary gathering in the city of al-Diwaniya and arrested 23 mourners on Sunday, a police official said.
“The gathering, which was held to offer condolences over the death of the father of a member of the (Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s) Mahdi Army (militias), was attended by leaders of gunmen, 23 of whom were arrested,” Col. Ghassan Muhammad al-Janahi, the commander of the al-Baqer Brigade, the Diwaniya emergency police, said.
“The names of the arrested leaders will be announced later,” Janahi told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
He said the raid included a nearby house where other gunmen leaders were attending the mourning session, adding “arrests will continue against outlaws and everyone whose hands were stained in the blood of Diwaniya people and policemen.”
Earlier on Sunday the Diwaniya police arrested two suspected of having targeted policemen and police headquarters in early 2007.
Diwaniya lies 180 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Sounds like the Iraqis are gaining more and more confidence every day. Whatever it takes to get the haj off the street helps out every other Iraqi. With security, all things are possible in Iraq.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:33 pmI’m glad we aren’t abiding with THEIR cease fire. Fuck those guys, It’s not fair to deter the health of a foreign country for the worst.
November 4th, 2007 at 9:48 pmMan they’re being too soft on the mahdi thugs. This gathering would have been better served with a a couple dozen JDAMS
November 5th, 2007 at 12:16 amGreat job! Glad to see the Iraqi Army really stepping up!
November 5th, 2007 at 12:27 am