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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Top Iraqi official held in raid | Top Iraqi official held in raid |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US forces in Iraq have raided the health ministry building in Baghdad and detained the deputy Health Minister. | US forces in Iraq have raided the health ministry building in Baghdad and detained the deputy Health Minister. |
| The minister, Hakem al-Zamili, is a key member of the political group led by radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr. | The minister, Hakem al-Zamili, is a key member of the political group led by radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr. |
| He is accused of aiding Shia militiamen and using ambulances to move weapons, a ministry source told the BBC. | He is accused of aiding Shia militiamen and using ambulances to move weapons, a ministry source told the BBC. |
| US and Iraqi troops have been trying to curb sectarian attacks in Iraq. The latest raid came as a car bomb killed at least 10 people south of Baghdad. | US and Iraqi troops have been trying to curb sectarian attacks in Iraq. The latest raid came as a car bomb killed at least 10 people south of Baghdad. |
| A parked car bomb struck a market in the predominantly Shia town of al-Aziziya, also wounding dozens of people. | A parked car bomb struck a market in the predominantly Shia town of al-Aziziya, also wounding dozens of people. |
| US and Iraqi forces have announced a major offensive in the Baghdad area, aimed at ending spiralling violence by Sunni and Shia militants. | US and Iraqi forces have announced a major offensive in the Baghdad area, aimed at ending spiralling violence by Sunni and Shia militants. |
| Last month the US military said operations had led to 16 key members of Mr Sadr's Mehdi Army militia being detained and one commander being killed. | Last month the US military said operations had led to 16 key members of Mr Sadr's Mehdi Army militia being detained and one commander being killed. |
| There are estimated to be several thousand Mahdi Army members in Baghdad alone and many more around the country. |