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Iraq militants 'die in clashes' Iraq 'talking to militant groups'
(about 4 hours later)
Eight al-Qaeda-linked militants have been killed in fierce clashes with US and Iraqi forces near the restive city of Falluja, Iraqi and US sources say. Talks are taking place between the Iraqi government and some insurgent groups, a senior Iraqi official says.
Five Iraqi policemen were also wounded in the battles, which went on for several hours. Saad Yousif al-Muttalibi, of the Ministry of National Dialogue and Reconciliation, said none of the groups were linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Elsewhere, five insurgents died in a US raid on a bomb-making factory north of Baghdad, US military officials said. Mr Muttalibi said the talks might be getting close to a point where some of the groups lay down their arms.
The latest violence came as Iraq's vice-president called for talks with insurgents to try to restore peace. It comes after Iraq's vice-president called for talks with insurgents to try to bring peace to Iraq.
'Round-table talks' There has been no let-up in violence, meanwhile, as eight al-Qaeda linked militants were killed in fierce clashes with US and Iraqi forces near the Sunni stronghold of Falluja, Iraqi and US sources said.
In an interview with the BBC, Tareq al-Hashemi said he believed there was "no way but to talk to everybody" with the exception of al-Qaeda. Five Iraqi policemen were also wounded in the battles, which went on for five hours.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6471105.stm">Southern security struggle He said the militants were "just part of the Iraqi communities". The Associated Press news agency said US warplanes were involved in the clashes in Amiriyah, west of Baghdad.
Elsewhere, five insurgents died in a US raid on a bomb-making factory near Taji, about 20km (nine miles) north of Baghdad, US military officials said.
'Expel al-Qaeda'
Mr Muttalibi told the BBC discussions with some militant groups were under way.
"We've already established links and contacts with major insurgent groups.
"One of the aims is to join with them into the fight against al-Qaeda. We are almost getting there and to join forces to attack al-Qaeda to get them out of Iraq."
[All parties]... should be called to sit down around the table Tareq al-HashemiIraqi vice-president Have Your Say: Should Iraq talk to insurgents?
The BBC's Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says it is understood that membership of the groups ranges from civil servants to people with military expertise.
Mr Muttalibi said the view that you cannot talk to terrorists is very over-simplistic.
Our correspondent says Mr Muttalibi ruled out surrendering to terrorists but the minister said sometimes one has to negotiate with them to understand what they want.
In an earlier interview with the BBC, Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi said he believed there was "no way but to talk to everybody" with the exception of al-Qaeda.
Sadr aide freed
Mr Hashemi, a Sunni, has personal experience of Iraq's violence. Last year his sister and two of his brothers were killed.Mr Hashemi, a Sunni, has personal experience of Iraq's violence. Last year his sister and two of his brothers were killed.
But he said the only way for Iraq to make progress is for negotiations to take place.But he said the only way for Iraq to make progress is for negotiations to take place.
Apart from al-Qaeda, which Mr Hashemi said was "not very much willing in fact to talk to anybody", all parties "should be invited, should be called to sit down around the table to discuss their fears, their reservations".Apart from al-Qaeda, which Mr Hashemi said was "not very much willing in fact to talk to anybody", all parties "should be invited, should be called to sit down around the table to discuss their fears, their reservations".
Meanwhile a senior aide to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, Ahmed Shibani, has been released after more than a year in US custody, the Iraqi prime minister's office said.
Mr Sadr's Mehdi Army militia has been blamed for scores of sectarian killings in Baghdad but is also a crucial power-broker, forming part of Iraq's coalition government.
A multitude of different groups are reckoned to be behind the violence in Iraq, which claims the lives of hundreds of people every month.A multitude of different groups are reckoned to be behind the violence in Iraq, which claims the lives of hundreds of people every month.
They range from Sunni al-Qaeda sympathisers attacking foreign troops and bombing Shia marketplaces, to Shia militias killing Sunni civilians and forcing them to leave their homes.They range from Sunni al-Qaeda sympathisers attacking foreign troops and bombing Shia marketplaces, to Shia militias killing Sunni civilians and forcing them to leave their homes.
'Bomb factory'
In a joint operation, Iraqi and US forces battled groups of al-Qaeda militants for more than five hours near the Sunni stronghold of Falluja on Tuesday.
The Associated Press news agency said US warplanes were involved in the clashes in Amiriyah, west of Baghdad.
Meanwhile five militants were killed in a US raid on a bomb factory near Taji, about 20km (nine miles) north of Baghdad, the US military said.
Officials said ground forces carrying out the raid were confronted by armed men, sparking a gun-battle.
They said the coalition forces captured three militants in the operation.
The military said several large barrels filled with explosive material were uncovered in the raid.
The factory and vehicles, weapons and ammunition found at the scene were destroyed in an air strike, it said.
The latest violence comes as the Iraq conflict enters its fifth year, with Iraqi and coalition forces continuing to try to end the insurgency across the country.