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Top Iraqi official held in raid Top Iraqi official held in raid
(10 minutes later)
US and Iraqi forces have raided the health ministry building in Baghdad and detained the deputy Health Minister. US and Iraqi forces in Baghdad have arrested the deputy health minister during a raid at his offices.
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 15 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.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6296097.stm">New pressure on Mehdi Army US and Iraqi forces have announced a major offensive in the Baghdad area, aimed at ending spiralling violence by Sunni and Shia militants. The raid on the health ministry took place on Thursday morning.
New pressure on Mehdi Army
Iraqi officials say US and Iraqi troops broke down doors in the ministry's offices in central Baghdad in their search for Mr Zamili.
The minister and some of his guards were arrested.
US and Iraqi forces have announced a major offensive in the Baghdad area, aimed at ending spiralling violence by Sunni and Shia militants.
The BBC's Jane Peel in Baghdad says that in the past some members of Iraq's governing Iraqi coalition have provided militias with protection.
Last month the US military said operations had led to 16 senior 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 senior 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. There are estimated to be several thousand Mehdi Army members in Baghdad alone and many more around the country.