IRAQ: Clean-up begins after fierce battles between militia gunmen and police in southern town of Amara

Record ID: 730691

  • Title: IRAQ: Clean-up begins after fierce battles between militia gunmen and police in southern town of Amara
  • Date: 22nd October 2006
  • Summary: (EU) AMARA, IRAQ (OCTOBER 21, 2006) (REUTERS) CLOSE UP OF BULLET HOLE IN CAR BONNET PAN TO PEOPLE STANDING AROUND DAMAGED CAR MAN SPEAKING TO CAMERA AND MAN POINTING TO THE SKY TRAVELLING SHOT: IRAQI SECURITY FORCES ON ROAD VARIOUS OF BURNT-OUT CARS FROM FRIDAY'S ATTACKS (3 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 6th November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAAWEE6C51Q3VQZ9NEGGTP5H3HZ
  • Story Text: An envoy of Iraq's prime minister on Saturday (October 21) met tribal leaders in the southern town of Amara in efforts to ease the tension after fierce battles between militia gunmen and police.
    National Security Minister Shirwan al-Waeli, sent to Amara on Friday by prime minister Nuri al-Maliki to restore order, said the clashes, which left at least 25 dead in two days, had been fuelled by tribal divisions.
    The fighting between the police and the Mehdi Army, loyal to the fiery Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, started after the assassination of the head of police intelligence in the town.
    Several hundred gunman assaulted three police stations and set fire to them before an appeal for calm from Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr restored order, officials said. Hundreds of Iraqi soldiers were brought in to support police in the clashes.
    The Shi'ite-led Iraqi government is struggling to exert its authority over Shi'ite militias blamed for reprisal killings, and to build a viable police force capable of retaining its independence in areas with deep tribal or sectarian loyalties.
    The latest tensions came after Washington said its two-month-old campaign to curb violence in Baghdad through mass reinforcements had been a disappointment. That setback and rising U.S. casualties have piled pressure on U.S. President George W. Bush before November mid-term elections.
    Around 200 to 300 Shi'ite militia gunmen attacked police stations in Amara on Thursday and Friday, and 10 police and 15 militia gunmen were killed, a spokesman for the British military quoted the chief of police as saying. The British handed over responsibility for Amara to Iraqi forces two months ago.
    Police subsequently arrested figures loyal to Sadr. The Mehdi Army then attacked police stations with rocket-propelled grenades and rifle fire.
    Sadr sent a letter urging calm, a leader in the Shi'ite militia said. Sadr also sent an envoy to Amara on Friday.
    The clashes have tested the Iraqi government's ability to rein in sectarian groups, and U.S.-led plans to hand over control to Iraqis. Witnesses said Amara was quiet on Saturday morning and shops were open.
    Amara, a town of around 250,000 people, is the provincial capital of Maysan province, known as the home of the Marsh Arabs who were persecuted by Saddam Hussein. British forces plan to hand full control of Maysan province to Iraqis in the coming months and Burbridge said that was still on track.
    The White House said on Friday Bush would resist election-year pressure for a major shift in strategy in Iraq despite growing doubts among Americans and anxiety over the war among Republican lawmakers. At least 73 U.S. troops have been killed this month, one of the highest tolls in recent months.
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