Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 20, 2008

Iraqi Forces Deploy Into Baghdad's Sadr City 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1C5371D:A6F02AD83191E160C8A7269E1180D5A821A4E82C900CD027& 
Move, described as 'peace operation' meant to stabilize, secure area which is stronghold of extremist Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr 






One of several hundred Iraqi soldiers fans out onto streets of Sadr City district in eastern Baghdad, 20 May 2008

Iraqi forces have moved into Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood in an operation aimed at bringing government control over the Shi'ite militia stronghold. 

Iraq security officials say they launched "Operation Peace" early Tuesday, to try to stabilize and secure the area.

A military spokesman says hundreds of troops have deployed in different sectors of the city.  He says no violence has been reported so far.

The operation is in line with a truce reached earlier this month between Iraq's government and Shi'ite militiamen loyal to radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Despite the truce, there have been sporadic clashes between Shi'ite militia and U.S.-backed security forces in the area.

Fighting in Sadr City has killed hundreds of people since late March, when Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered a crackdown on Shi'ite militias.



Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.



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