US and Iraqi military continue push into Sadr City

While the US military and the Iraqi government claim to be suppressing criminals, the chief target is undoubtedly the Madhi Army. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced on Sunday that cabinet had approved legislation that would prevent parties with militias from standing in provincial elections in Octoberin line with his previous demand that Sadr disband the Madhi Army. Other parties, including Malikis Dawa and its ally, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), have their own private armies.

Fighting in Sadr City continued yesterday. According to the American military, at least six people were killed in a clash between US soldiers and militiamen during a US operation in the As Sudayrah area. Air support was called in as the fighting continued. The spokesman claimed that no civilian casualties [were] reported. Such encounters have become routine as US and Iraqi security forces have entrenched themselves in southern portions of Sadr City.

A sharp rise in the number of US soldiers killed points to the intensity of the fighting throughout Iraq. Nineteen died last week in the worst week for US casualties this year.

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