Mahdi fighters feel besieged

From: Deseret News (Salt Lake City) | Date: January 19, 2007| Author: Steven R. Hurst Associated Press | Copyright information

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Mahdi Army fighters said Thursday they were under siege in their Sadr City stronghold as U.S. and Iraqi troops killed or seized key commanders in pinpoint nighttime raids. Two commanders of the Shiite militia said Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki has stopped protecting the group under pressure from Washington and threats from Sunni Muslim Arab governments.

The two commanders' account of a growing siege mentality inside the organization could represent a tactical and pro...

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