Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 26, 2007

Coalition Forces in Iraq Capture Terrorist Cell Leader
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=179EBB2:A6F02AD83191E160991B96A9C00B52409574F7DCC14957C0 Person detained is
believed to be suspected leader of cell that facilitated transport of
weapons from Iran The U.S. military in Iraq says Iraqi and coalition
forces have detained a suspected terrorist cell leader and killed at
least five insurgents during raids in Baghdad's Shi'ite district of
Sadr City.

A military statement said the person detained Saturday is believed to
have facilitated the transport of weapons from Iran and also
coordinated the training of Iraqi militants in Iran.

Also in Baghdad Saturday, authorities say at least five people were
killed in a car bomb and mortar attack near a market in the
predominantly Shi'ite neighborhood of Bayaa. Nearly 40 others were
wounded.

Elsewhere Saturday, U.S-led forces said they killed two terrorists,
detained 23 suspected insurgents and destroyed a cache of explosives
during operations against al-Qaida in Iraq, southwest of Taji.

In the southern city of Basra, military officials said insurgents
attacked British forces for more than two hours.

The attack is believed to be in retaliation for the killing of their
leader, Mahdi Army commander Wissam Abu Qader, on Friday.







Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks to supporters at Friday prayers
at his local mosque in Kufa, central Iraq, 25 May 2007On Friday, Iraqi
Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr made his first public appearance since
a Baghdad security crackdown began in February and again demanded U.S.
forces leave Iraq.

The radical cleric and leader of the Mahdi Army delivered an
anti-American sermon at Friday prayers at a mosque in Kufa. He said
sectarian fighting in Iraq is prolonging what he calls the U.S.
occupation of the country.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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