AP: Iraq sweep aims to stem killing in north (Kirkuk under curfew)

[Eugene]

Iraq sweep aims to stem killing in north

By LEE KEATH, Associated Press Writer

2 hours, 28 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Thousands of Iraqi troops launched a crackdown in Kirkuk
on Saturday, ordering residents to stay in their homes in an effort to put
down violence that has swelled in the north amid efforts to rein in
bloodshed in Baghdad.

-snip-

The U.S. military announced Saturday that a U.S. soldier was killed Friday
near Beiji, about 60 miles southwest of Kirkuk.

Authorities in Kirkuk this week completed digging a 10-mile trench around
the city's southern and western edges aimed at cutting off side roads to prevent
car bombs from being brought into the city. Intensified checkpoints were set up
on city entrances that remained.

On Saturday, authorities announced a curfew had been extended to round-the-clock
"until further notice," ordering all residents off the streets, said Kirkuk police
chief Lt. Gen. Sherko Shaker.

-snip-
Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061008/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

[Erika]

1. So they are going to build trenches around the city?

OK. Sure.

[bhikkhu]

2. Wonderful. Another moat.

Still waiting for the moat-digging division of Halliburton to advertise its cost effective efficiency on CNN or Fox.