Iraqi Gov't: 'Several dozen' Mahdi senior members arrested in 'past few weeks'

BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 — Facing intense pressure from the Bush administration to show progress in securing Iraq, senior Iraqi officials announced Wednesday that they had moved against the country’s most powerful Shiite militia, arresting several dozen senior members in the past few weeks.

It was the first time the Shiite government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki had claimed significant action against the militia, the Mahdi Army, one of the most intractable problems facing his administration. The militia’s leader, the cleric Moktada al-Sadr, helped put Mr. Maliki in power, but pressure to crack down on the group has mounted as its killings in the capital have driven a wedge into efforts to keep the country together.

Although the announcement seemed timed to deflect growing scrutiny by an American administration that has grown increasingly frustrated with Mr. Maliki, American officers here offered some support for the government’s claims, saying that at least half a dozen senior militia leaders had been taken into custody in recent weeks.

Read the rest at the NY Times

Related Link:
Perspective: Mahdi Army lowers its profile, for now

Related Link:
Casey: Results from Baghdad push will come 'through the summer and fall'

Related Link:
Iraqi Sources: Baghdad push to last 'at least' 6 months; Sistani, Sadr support plan

Related Link:
Sources: U.S., Iraqi Gov't in dispute over Washington war plan; Iraqis insist on lead

Related Link:
Sources: Bush okays targeting al-Sadr

Related Link:
Perspective: Battling With Sadr for Iraqi Soldiers' Hearts

Related Link:
Gates: Baghdad push starts February; says Maliki 'may lose his job'

Related Link:
Kurdish Gen.: Brigade Trains for Baghdad

Related Link:
Maliki chooses Qanbar as Baghdad commander over reported U.S. objection

Related Link:
Pespective: The new plan: fight the Mahdi army toe to toe, hope Iraqi army holds

Related Link:
Iraqi Spokesman: Sadr militia not allowed on street

Related Link:
Sources: Maliki tells 'Shiite militamen' to surrender arms, or face 'all-out assault'

Related Link:
Sources: Bush plan for Iraq security control by November; Maliki pledges to 'neutralize' Sadr

Related Link:
Odierno: Iraqi forces big part of Baghdad clear and hold; envisions 'retreat to outskirts' in 3-4 months

Related Link:
Report: Baghdad surge to be rapid influx; Iraq commits 3 new brigades of mostly Kurds

Related Link:
Maliki Announces New Security Plan