US troops move against fundamentalist cleric's supporters

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - US troops moved against supporters of fundamentalist cleric Moqtada Sadr in his Baghdad stronghold, as the coalition issued veiled warnings it may take action against his Shiite militia.

Troops said the operation, in which 12 people were held in Baghdad, went without incident, but violence continued unabated in the war-ravaged country.

US troops moved into Baghdad's teeming neighborhood of Sadr City, where they took control of a municipal council building, returning it to city councilors after dislodging Sadr supporters who had seized it last week.

Iraqi police who participated in the operation detained 12 supporters of the young, militant cleric, who has been increasingly vocal in denouncing the US occupation of Iraq.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/20031016/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_031016193741&e=3

[w13rd0]

1. Sadr City?

This can't be good...

I thought the Bush team didn't really believe in seperation of church and state. Guess they really ARE for establishment of religion, as long as its one of their choosing...

[displacedtexan]

2. these freaks have no shame!

they obviously did in the last one, too. we can not force *'s definition of democracy on anyone. it won't work.

[denverbill]

3. Oh sure we can.

We'll give them all the democracy they want, except:
1) they can't be anti-US
2) they can't be anti-Israel
and
3) they can't be socialist

Other than that, they are free do govern themselves however they want.

[toopers]

4. I think #3 goes without saying!

[htuttle]

5. Why?

.