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ISF lead the way in raid on Muqtada Militia
Fob Duke - Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) , augmented by Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a raid before dawn today on Muqtada Militia troops using a mosque in Kufa as a militant stronghold. The ISF, who entered and cleared the building of militia members, were supported by Marines who remained outside the mosque the entire time, and provided a security cordon around the building to prevent militants from reinforcing or escaping.
The raid was conducted on the small, Saleh mosque located on the outskirts of Kufa. Several militiamen were killed and eight were detained.
The raid comes at a time when over 80 percent of Najaf has been stabilized, and is relatively calm except for isolated hot spots. While ISF and MEU forces are not experiencing a large number of fighters in the city, there are smaller groups of Muqtada Militia who continue to operate out of isolated areas.
While current media reports state that Muqtada al-Sadr has possibly been injured or killed, these reports cannot be confirmed at this time. There is no indication that Multi-National Forces had any involvement in an attack launched against Sadr.
Other actions past 24 hours
U.S Army units attached to the 11th MEU continue to repel light, sporadic attacks by Anti-Iraqi Forces in the old city, south of the Imam Ali Shrine, and in the Wadi Al Salam cemetery. ING and MNF forces began an operational pause at 7 a.m. this morning as Iraqi government leaders continue to work towards a peaceful conclusion.
Iraqi National Guardsmen, augmented by 11th MEU Marines, conducted a joint raid within the neighborhood of Muqtada al-Sadr in an effort to continue stabilization of the city. The Sadr neighborhood, a center for violence and volatility, has been known for heavily fortified positions throughout the streets, numerous weapons caches, and militia members. Its presence stood as a significant threat to a secure and stable Najaf. The area raided consisted of two medical clinics/hospitals occupied by the Muqtada Militia for more than four months, and the al-Sadr house itself. Muqtada Sadr was not present at the house, nor was he expected to be. Militia fighters, however, were found operating out of buildings approximately 500 meters from the house, and a carefully planned, precision air strike was called in on the building. The neighborhood, a stronghold for Muqtada Militia members, is located approximately 3 km east of the holy Imam Ali Shrine in the
city of Najaf.
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