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Maliki hails crackdown in Baghdad Deaths as Maliki hails crackdown
(20 minutes later)
The Iraqi prime minister says there has been a reduction in sectarian killings and kidnappings since a Baghdad security plan was launched 10 days ago. At least 35 people are reported to have been killed in a bombing near a Sunni mosque, hours after Iraq's PM hailed a reduction in sectarian killings.
Nouri Maliki says 426 suspected militants have been held and almost the same number killed since 14 February. A truck bomb exploded as worshippers left the mosque in Habbaniyah, 50 miles west of Baghdad, police said.
On Saturday, at least seven people were killed and more than 30 injured in a series of attacks in the Iraqi capital. As well as those killed, more than 60 people were hurt, initial reports said.
Earlier, Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki said sectarian killings and kidnappings had fallen in the wake of a new Baghdad security plan, launched 10 days ago.
Mr Maliki said 426 suspected militants had been held and almost the same number killed since 14 February.
But on Saturday, at least seven people were killed and more than 30 injured in a series of attacks in the Iraqi capital.
Separately, the Iraqi interior ministry said Iraqi and US troops killed dozens of Sunni militants north of Baghdad.Separately, the Iraqi interior ministry said Iraqi and US troops killed dozens of Sunni militants north of Baghdad.
'Willing co-operation''Willing co-operation'
After visiting the command centre co-ordinating the joint Iraqi-US security operation in Baghdad, Mr Maliki said 426 militants had been detained and "around that number" had been killed.After visiting the command centre co-ordinating the joint Iraqi-US security operation in Baghdad, Mr Maliki said 426 militants had been detained and "around that number" had been killed.
VIOLENCE IN IRAQ 62,473 families displaced by sectarian conflict in last year (source: IOM)At least 56,000 civilians killed since 2003 (source: IBC)More than 3,400 coalition military deaths since March 2003 Iraq violence figuresVIOLENCE IN IRAQ 62,473 families displaced by sectarian conflict in last year (source: IOM)At least 56,000 civilians killed since 2003 (source: IBC)More than 3,400 coalition military deaths since March 2003 Iraq violence figures
He said many more militants had left the capital and vowed to bring them to justice.He said many more militants had left the capital and vowed to bring them to justice.
Mr Maliki stressed that the new plan - which had seen thousands of extra US and Iraqi troops sent to Baghdad - also depended on the co-operation of the people.Mr Maliki stressed that the new plan - which had seen thousands of extra US and Iraqi troops sent to Baghdad - also depended on the co-operation of the people.
He said the indications were that Iraqis were willingly co-operating.He said the indications were that Iraqis were willingly co-operating.
Mr Maliki vowed deal even-handedly with both Shia and Sunni rebelsMr Maliki vowed deal even-handedly with both Shia and Sunni rebels
US military commanders have also spoken positively about the operation.US military commanders have also spoken positively about the operation.
But they have said that the rebels are currently laying now, warning that higher levels of violence to will probably return.But they have said that the rebels are currently laying now, warning that higher levels of violence to will probably return.
Despite Mr Maliki's optimistic words, at least seven people were killed in Baghdad in a number of bombings and mortar attacks, the BBC's Jane Peel says.Despite Mr Maliki's optimistic words, at least seven people were killed in Baghdad in a number of bombings and mortar attacks, the BBC's Jane Peel says.
'Dozens killed''Dozens killed'
North of Baghdad, Iraqi soldiers - backed by US aircraft - raided a Sunni rebel base early on Saturday, Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman Brig Abdul-Kareem Khalaf said.North of Baghdad, Iraqi soldiers - backed by US aircraft - raided a Sunni rebel base early on Saturday, Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman Brig Abdul-Kareem Khalaf said.
He said dozens of suspected members of the Islamic Army in Iraq had been killed during the operation that lasted several hours.He said dozens of suspected members of the Islamic Army in Iraq had been killed during the operation that lasted several hours.
The spokesman said he was unaware of any civilian deaths.The spokesman said he was unaware of any civilian deaths.
The US military said it had no report about the operation, the Associated Press news agency reported.The US military said it had no report about the operation, the Associated Press news agency reported.