Militiamen loyal to anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr will begin handing over their heavy weapons to Iraqi police next week from their stronghold in Sadr City, as part of a deal to disband the insurgent force and end weeks of fighting with U.S. forces, Iraqi and American officials and aides to al-Sadr said yesterday.
As part of the deal, American forces have agreed to cease military operations in Sadr City, the vast slum area of eastern Baghdad that is the stronghold for al-Sadr's militia, known as the al-Mahdi Army. Iraqi police and national-guard units will move into the area and have the right to search homes for weapons. U.S. soldiers also will retain access to the area.
Al-Sadr's record in keeping agreements is not good, however. During the fighting in Najaf last spring and summer, he pledged several times to disband his militia, only to keep fighting.
... Under this agreement, al-Sadr's fighters will begin turning in their heavy weapons, such as mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, tomorrow at a series of agreed collection points, and will be paid for them.
Seattle Times articleAs part of the deal, American forces have agreed to cease military operations in Sadr City, the vast slum area of eastern Baghdad that is the stronghold for al-Sadr's militia, known as the al-Mahdi Army. Iraqi police and national-guard units will move into the area and have the right to search homes for weapons. U.S. soldiers also will retain access to the area.
Al-Sadr's record in keeping agreements is not good, however. During the fighting in Najaf last spring and summer, he pledged several times to disband his militia, only to keep fighting.
... Under this agreement, al-Sadr's fighters will begin turning in their heavy weapons, such as mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, tomorrow at a series of agreed collection points, and will be paid for them.
Maybe they need newer ones.
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