Iraqi troops clash with Sunni fighters

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-30-2009 10:26

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Iraqi troops have encircled a Sunni neighborhood in central Baghdad, a day after fierce clashes between soldiers and the neighborhood's Sunni security volunteers.

Iraqi soldiers stand guard near the district of al- Fadhil in Baghdad March 29, 2009.REUTERS/Saad Shalash

Iraqi soldiers ordered the members of the Awakening Council group to give up their weapons. They also conducted a search operation, looking for Sunni fighters in the Fadhil neighborhood.

The confrontation started on Saturday when Iraqi troops arrested Adil al-Mashhadani, the leader of the security group.

Officials say he faces terrorism charges. The arrest triggered heavy gun battles and Sunni fighters took five soldiers hostage.

Awakening Council groups used to help US forces in Iraq in their fight against al-Qaida militants.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei