Iraqi and US forces launch Baghdad security crackdown

Iraqi and US forces swept through a notorious Sunni district of Baghdad, searching houses and seizing weapons in a blitz by around 2,000 US troops and an Iraqi army brigade, a US officer said. Major Robie Parke of 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team said the security sweep targetted a Sunni district in northeastern Baghdad in the start of a much-vaunted crackdown by US and Iraqi forces on militias and insurgents behind bitter sectarian killings in the capital. "Iraqi and US forces conducted clearing operations in Adhamiyah today, which is the beginning of the new security plan," Parke told AFP. Parke said close to 2,000 US troops were involved in the operation, along with the 1st Brigade of the 9th Iraqi Army Division...

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