Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Los Angeles Times
April 27, 2008 A target in the attack was a former insurgent now leading a paramilitary force that works alongside U.S. forces. He was not badly injured but 8 other guards were hurt.
By Tina Susman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
BAGHDAD — A bomb targeting members of a volunteer security force in a former Sunni Muslim insurgent stronghold of Baghdad killed two guards and injured eight others today, police said.
One of the targets was Abu Abed, who heads a 600-man paramilitary force in Amiriya that has worked alongside U.S. troops to enforce law in the neighborhood. In December, the Los Angeles Times profiled Abed, a suspected former insurgent who is now one of about 90,000 Iraqis in the U.S.-allied Sawha movement.
The Sawha foot soldiers, commonly known as Sons of Iraq, are frequent targets of assassination attempts. The U.S. military credits the movement with helping reduce violence in former insurgent strongholds.
A man identifying himself as Abu Abed's security chief, who did not want his name published, said the blast occurred as Abu Abed and his guards were preparing to enter a building for a meeting. The bomb exploded near the front gate. He said Abu Abed was not badly injured.
Earlier today, hospital officials in Sadr City, the stronghold of Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr, said overnight clashes had killed eight people and injured 29. There was no independent confirmation of the casualty figures.
Battles between Shiite militiamen and Iraqi and U.S. forces have flared in Sadr City since late last month when the Iraqi government mounted an offensive against militia fighters. The violence has dropped considerably in the past couple of weeks, but skirmishes continue.
Times staff writer Raheem Salman and special correspondents in Baghdad contributed to this report.
April 27, 2008 A target in the attack was a former insurgent now leading a paramilitary force that works alongside U.S. forces. He was not badly injured but 8 other guards were hurt.
By Tina Susman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
BAGHDAD — A bomb targeting members of a volunteer security force in a former Sunni Muslim insurgent stronghold of Baghdad killed two guards and injured eight others today, police said.
One of the targets was Abu Abed, who heads a 600-man paramilitary force in Amiriya that has worked alongside U.S. troops to enforce law in the neighborhood. In December, the Los Angeles Times profiled Abed, a suspected former insurgent who is now one of about 90,000 Iraqis in the U.S.-allied Sawha movement.
The Sawha foot soldiers, commonly known as Sons of Iraq, are frequent targets of assassination attempts. The U.S. military credits the movement with helping reduce violence in former insurgent strongholds.
A man identifying himself as Abu Abed's security chief, who did not want his name published, said the blast occurred as Abu Abed and his guards were preparing to enter a building for a meeting. The bomb exploded near the front gate. He said Abu Abed was not badly injured.
Earlier today, hospital officials in Sadr City, the stronghold of Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr, said overnight clashes had killed eight people and injured 29. There was no independent confirmation of the casualty figures.
Battles between Shiite militiamen and Iraqi and U.S. forces have flared in Sadr City since late last month when the Iraqi government mounted an offensive against militia fighters. The violence has dropped considerably in the past couple of weeks, but skirmishes continue.
Times staff writer Raheem Salman and special correspondents in Baghdad contributed to this report.