Babil Police Strike at Militants
By Yaseen al-Madhloom in Hillah (ICR No. 109, 02-Feb-05)
Babil Police Strike at Militants
By Yaseen al-Madhloom in Hillah (ICR No. 109, 02-Feb-05)
Captain Muthanna al-Mamoori, media spokesman for Babil's police department, said his colleagues arrested several insurgents, including individuals he said were members of the al-Qaeda network.
Police joined forces with the Iraqi National Guard to target positions held by armed groups in al-Mahawil, Jurf as-Sakhr and al-Hamiyah. These areas were the scene of mortar and rocket attacks on election day, which left at least nine people dead and 30 injured.
Violence in Babil province continued after the election. Three United States Marines were killed on January 31 when a roadside bomb exploded as their vehicle was passing.
Despite the attacks, Babil saw a relatively high turnout on election day as celebrations mixed with the sound of explosions.
"The election is a blow to the enemies," said Imad Abdul-Kadhim, a 40-year-old civil servant.
"The election is a feast, and every honourable Iraqi has the right to rejoice at this feast."
Yaseen al-Madhloom is an IWPR trainee journalist in Iraq.
