Sunni Area Focus of Sectarian Cleansing

A boy stands guard next to his family's belongings after fleeing Hurriyah in yesterday's rampage by armed Shi'ites

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Fresh attacks against Sunnis in a mixed neighborhood of northwestern Baghdad are raising new fears of an organized campaign by Shiite militants to drive Sunnis from the area and strengthen militia control of the capital's north.

Witnesses say scores of Sunni families have been fleeing the Hurriyah neighborhood in recent weeks, and Sunni organizations claim that the Shiite-dominated Iraqi army and police have done little to stop the violence.

Iraqi commanders deny the charge and say they are encouraging Sunnis to remain in Hurriyah and assuring them of their safety. Still, the authorities are clearly struggling to curb the violence.

Read the rest at the Washington Post

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