Truce with militias reported in Sadr City

Iraqi Army hits bastion in Mosul

BAGHDAD - Shi'ite groups brokered a reported cease-fire yesterday with militants fighting US and Iraqi forces in Baghdad's Sadr City as the country's army launched an offensive in Mosul against Al Qaeda's main bastion in Iraq.

Sheik Salah al-Obeidi, an aide to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, said the cease-fire will go into effect today. The cease-fire may not necessarily end the seven-week-old clashes in Sadr City, the stronghold of Sadr's Mahdi Army, as US military has attributed clashes to breakaway groups.

The bulk of the 60,000-strong Mahdi Army is not believed to have participated in the clashes. Instead, the violence is attributed to splinter groups that have refused to honor a general cease-fire ordered by Sadr in August. Sadr has directed his supporters to fight only when attacked.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh expressed support yesterday for efforts aimed at "achieving order and security in Sadr City."

"The agreement represents the government's vision to end armed displays and purge al-Sadr City from roadside bombs and mines and impose the law in the city," Dabbagh said in a statement.

"Iraqi security forces are the only force to achieve this and the government has the right to raid and search any place suspected of possessing heavy or medium weapons," Dabbagh said. "The government is also committed to chase all wanted people under the supervision of the prime minister."

There was no immediate comment from the US military on the reported deal.

The newly announced cease-fire comes after government-backed Shi'ite envoys set strict demands for Shi'ite militias to end their battles against Iraqi and US forces in a meeting with Sadr's supporters Thursday.

"A 10-point agreement has been reached between members from the United Iraqi Alliance and Sadrist movement in Baghdad and we are informed that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is committed to it," Obeidi said in Najaf.

He added that "the agreement stipulates that the Mahdi Army will stop fighting in Sadr City and will stop displaying arms in public. In return, the government will stop random raids against Sadr followers and open all closed roads that lead to Sadr City."

Obeidi said a joint committee will observe the implementation of the agreement and any violations by either side.

"This document does not call for disbanding al-Mahdi Army or laying down their arms," Obeidi said, rejecting a previous call by Maliki.

The clashes in Sadr City began in late March after Maliki, a Shi'ite, launched a crackdown against the Shi'ite armed groups in the southern city of Basra. Aid groups say at least 6,000 people have fled their homes in Sadr City to escape the fighting and seek help as food and medical supplies dwindle.

Meanwhile, Major General Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq, the commander of military operations in the northern city of Mosul, issued a statement yesterday to announce that operation "Lion's Roar" against Al Qaeda in Iraq was underway.

Mosul is considered the last important urban staging ground for Al Qaeda in Iraq.

"Operation Lion's Roar is an Iraqi led, planned, and executed operation, and is another example of the Iraqis' growing confidence and ability to independently carry out complex combat, police, and humanitarian operations," said Major Peggy Kageleiry, a spokeswoman for US forces in the north.