This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7970716.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tension high after Baghdad arrest Tension high after Baghdad arrest
(about 8 hours later)
Security forces in Baghdad have taken control of main roads leading to a district where at least three people were killed on Saturday.Security forces in Baghdad have taken control of main roads leading to a district where at least three people were killed on Saturday.
Clashes between US and Iraqi forces and a patrol group broke out when a local Sunni militia leader was arrested.Clashes between US and Iraqi forces and a patrol group broke out when a local Sunni militia leader was arrested.
On Sunday, troops drove through the Fadil neighbourhood urging fighters to hand over their weapons.On Sunday, troops drove through the Fadil neighbourhood urging fighters to hand over their weapons.
US officials are trying to negotiate the release of five Iraqi soldiers taken hostage during the clashes.US officials are trying to negotiate the release of five Iraqi soldiers taken hostage during the clashes.
The security forces have warned the militants that they will be treated as terrorists if they do not surrender their weapons.
Rule of law
The arrested man, Adil Mashadani, is the leader of the Fadil Awakening Group - or Sons of Iraq, as the Americans call them.The arrested man, Adil Mashadani, is the leader of the Fadil Awakening Group - or Sons of Iraq, as the Americans call them.
An Iraqi mother and her daughter run for cover in Fadil Mashadani is the leader of the Fadil Awakening Group, or Sons of Iraq
In a statement to the BBC from the Multinational Forces Iraq, the operation was described as being "government of Iraq/Iraqi Security Forces driven and led."In a statement to the BBC from the Multinational Forces Iraq, the operation was described as being "government of Iraq/Iraqi Security Forces driven and led."
"There was a valid warrant issued by the Iraqi Government for the detention of the individual based upon his past crimes," it said."There was a valid warrant issued by the Iraqi Government for the detention of the individual based upon his past crimes," it said.
"The Iraqi Emergency Response Unit conducted this operation in order to enforce the rule of law and provide security for the people of Baghdad."The Iraqi Emergency Response Unit conducted this operation in order to enforce the rule of law and provide security for the people of Baghdad.
He was not arrested for his role as a Sons Of Iraq leader, nor are any Sons Of Iraq being targeted." "He was not arrested for his role as a Sons Of Iraq leader, nor are any Sons Of Iraq being targeted."
The statement said Mr Mashadani was suspected of:
  • Fatal bomb attacks on Iraq's security forces
  • Links to al-Qaeda in Iraq
  • Collusion with the "terrorist network" Jaysh al-Islami
  • Extorting bribes of more than $160,000 a month from Fadil residents
LoudspeakersLoudspeakers
On Sunday, Iraqi troops and US soldiers backing them in the operation were understood to be controlling access to the district.On Sunday, Iraqi troops and US soldiers backing them in the operation were understood to be controlling access to the district.
The fighting prompted residents of Fadil to run for cover
There was more shooting during the operation, in which troops used loudspeakers to urge residents to hand over weapons or be treated as terrorists.There was more shooting during the operation, in which troops used loudspeakers to urge residents to hand over weapons or be treated as terrorists.
The trouble started on Saturday immediately after Mr Mashadani was arrested.
The BBC's correspondent Hugh Sykes says two of the dead had been caught in the crossfire and a third victim is believed to have been a policeman.The BBC's correspondent Hugh Sykes says two of the dead had been caught in the crossfire and a third victim is believed to have been a policeman.
There are estimated to be 100,000 Awakening members nationwide
For most of 2006 and 2007, Fadil was controlled by al-Qaeda in Iraq, but it was driven out Awakening fighters.For most of 2006 and 2007, Fadil was controlled by al-Qaeda in Iraq, but it was driven out Awakening fighters.
The group now consists largely of fighters who used to work for al-Qaeda but switched sides.The group now consists largely of fighters who used to work for al-Qaeda but switched sides.
Our correspondent says he was told by the deputy leader of Fadil Awakening that he was anxious some of his fighters could be recruited back to al-Qaeda if their future was not sensitively handled.Our correspondent says he was told by the deputy leader of Fadil Awakening that he was anxious some of his fighters could be recruited back to al-Qaeda if their future was not sensitively handled.
Children playingChildren playing
Our correspondent had been in Fadil a few hours before the clashes and said the neighbourhood seemed calm and normal.Our correspondent had been in Fadil a few hours before the clashes and said the neighbourhood seemed calm and normal.
People were out shopping, fresh fish was on sale on a cart in the shade and children were playing.People were out shopping, fresh fish was on sale on a cart in the shade and children were playing.
He says it is an impoverished district where many buildings are bullet-pocked from the days when al-Qaeda menaced the mostly Shia neighbourhoods nearby.He says it is an impoverished district where many buildings are bullet-pocked from the days when al-Qaeda menaced the mostly Shia neighbourhoods nearby.
The Awakening - or Sons of Iraq, as the Americans call them - mostly consist of Sunni Arab fighters who used to work with al-Qaeda.The Awakening - or Sons of Iraq, as the Americans call them - mostly consist of Sunni Arab fighters who used to work with al-Qaeda.
They have been credited with helping drastically reduce violence, flushing out Sunni Islamist al-Qaeda from parts of Baghdad, western Anbar province and some northern towns.They have been credited with helping drastically reduce violence, flushing out Sunni Islamist al-Qaeda from parts of Baghdad, western Anbar province and some northern towns.
There are estimated to be around 100,000 Awakening members nationwide and they were paid by the US military until last year when the Iraqi government began taking over the programme.There are estimated to be around 100,000 Awakening members nationwide and they were paid by the US military until last year when the Iraqi government began taking over the programme.
Analysts say the Shia-led government's handling of the Sunni Arab fighters it once fought against will be a key test of efforts to stabilise Iraq as the US prepares to withdraw its combat troops by August 2010.Analysts say the Shia-led government's handling of the Sunni Arab fighters it once fought against will be a key test of efforts to stabilise Iraq as the US prepares to withdraw its combat troops by August 2010.