WAR: Over 1200 Militia Surrender in Najaf, page 1

With fighting breaking out in Najaf, Fallujah and Sadr City in the past week it had all appearences of becoming a wider conflict similar to the spring offensive by al-Sadr's Mehdi Army. That possibility now seems to have gone away with the Iraqi army victory in Najaf.

story.news.yahoo.com
BAGHDAD (AFP) - More than 1,200 militiamen loyal to radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr surrendered following fierce clashes with US and Iraqi forces in Najaf, the police general directorate said.

"Over 1,200 criminals have surrendered to Iraqi forces," it said in a statement, adding that the holy city of Najaf had been "secured."

It said most of the captured militiamen were criminals who were released from Iraqi prisons by ousted president Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) before last year's US-led invasion.

The statement accused Sadr's Mehdi Army of wanting to "destablise the country," and vowed "this operation will continue until this illegal and cruel violence has been quelled."

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

al-Sadr's Mehdi Army has lost a sizable force to the combined efforts of the Iraqi Interim government and U.S. forces in what may end up a pivital turning point in the Iraqi governments effort to quell insurrection by quasi religious groups.

Related News Links:
news.google.com
www.guardian.co.uk
www.heraldsun.news.com.au
www.voanews.com

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
US Marines kill 300 in 2 days of fighting.
WAR: Iraqi Fighters Shoot Down U.S. Helicopter in Najaf, British Soldiers Shoot 2 dead.