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US raid kills 30 Iraq 'militants' | US raid kills 30 Iraq 'militants' |
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US-led forces have killed about 30 militants in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the US military has said. | US-led forces have killed about 30 militants in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the US military has said. |
They said most had died in an air strike following a raid in the Shia district of Sadr City. Twelve people were also detained in the operation. | They said most had died in an air strike following a raid in the Shia district of Sadr City. Twelve people were also detained in the operation. |
The US military said the dead were part of a network that was smuggling weapons from Iran, but witnesses said women and children were among those killed. | The US military said the dead were part of a network that was smuggling weapons from Iran, but witnesses said women and children were among those killed. |
The violence came as Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki held security talks in Iran. | The violence came as Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki held security talks in Iran. |
Speaking during his flight to Tehran, Mr Maliki said the main objective of the visit was to strengthen relations between the two countries. | Speaking during his flight to Tehran, Mr Maliki said the main objective of the visit was to strengthen relations between the two countries. |
"We want to promote economic ties and other ties that contribute to combating terrorism and its challenges," he told the Associated Press news agency. | "We want to promote economic ties and other ties that contribute to combating terrorism and its challenges," he told the Associated Press news agency. |
[Iraq and Iran] have a joint understanding that they are keen to solve problems and the sufferings of Iraqi people Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki US forces reach new peak class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6937294.stm">In pictures: raid aftermath | |
Mr Maliki said Iraq and Iran had a "joint understanding that they are keen to solve problems and sufferings of Iraqi people". | Mr Maliki said Iraq and Iran had a "joint understanding that they are keen to solve problems and sufferings of Iraqi people". |
"They are both convinced that their co-operation may lead to helping Iraq and restoring stability," he added. | "They are both convinced that their co-operation may lead to helping Iraq and restoring stability," he added. |
US commanders have recently accused Iran of stepping up its support for Iraqi militias - allegations Iran has always denied. | US commanders have recently accused Iran of stepping up its support for Iraqi militias - allegations Iran has always denied. |
On Wednesday, Lt Gen Raymond Odierno said "explosively formed penetrators" increasingly supplied by Iran were responsible for a third of US combat deaths in July. | On Wednesday, Lt Gen Raymond Odierno said "explosively formed penetrators" increasingly supplied by Iran were responsible for a third of US combat deaths in July. |
Protests | Protests |
In a statement, the US military said US and Iraqi forces had carried out an overnight raid on a group of buildings in Sadr City where members of the Mahdi Army militia were based. | |
US commanders said they believed the cell was smuggling weapons and explosive charges that have been used against US patrols from Iran, as well as sending militants to Iran for training. | US commanders said they believed the cell was smuggling weapons and explosive charges that have been used against US patrols from Iran, as well as sending militants to Iran for training. |
Hundreds of Sadr City residents protested against the strike | Hundreds of Sadr City residents protested against the strike |
One of the main targets of the raid was a man who acted as a liaison between Iraqi militants and the elite Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the military said. | One of the main targets of the raid was a man who acted as a liaison between Iraqi militants and the elite Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the military said. |
It said the troops came under sporadic gunfire as they approached the buildings, killed two armed men they believed to be lookouts, then detained 12 militants. | |
"During the course of the operation, the assault force and the overhead aerial support observed a vehicle and large group of armed men on foot attempting an assault on the ground forces," according to the statement. | "During the course of the operation, the assault force and the overhead aerial support observed a vehicle and large group of armed men on foot attempting an assault on the ground forces," according to the statement. |
It said air support was called and US aircraft killed an estimated 30 militants. | It said air support was called and US aircraft killed an estimated 30 militants. |
The military statement was issued after the Associated Press quoted Iraqi police as saying nine civilians, including two women, had been killed in the US operation in Sadr City. | The military statement was issued after the Associated Press quoted Iraqi police as saying nine civilians, including two women, had been killed in the US operation in Sadr City. |
A military spokesman said there had been women and children in the area during the raid, but denied any had died. | A military spokesman said there had been women and children in the area during the raid, but denied any had died. |
Later, men and young boys were seen weeping over coffins outside a nearby hospital and hundreds of residents marched through Sadr City in protest against the raids. | Later, men and young boys were seen weeping over coffins outside a nearby hospital and hundreds of residents marched through Sadr City in protest against the raids. |
They came on the eve of a major Shia religious festival in the capital which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. | They came on the eve of a major Shia religious festival in the capital which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. |
A three-day driving curfew has been imposed in Baghdad and new checkpoints established. | A three-day driving curfew has been imposed in Baghdad and new checkpoints established. |