LOC13:14
10:14 GMT
BAGHDAD, April 3 (KUNA) -- Iraqi army forces detained the leader of
Thaar-allah Shiite party in Basra, Ministry of Interior's Operations Commander
Abdulkareem Khalaf said Thursday.
Khalaf told KUNA, "The Shiite party leader, Youssef Sinawy, was taken from
his house in Nowab Al-Dobat district. Forces also arrested his three brothers
and killed his security guard after heavy clashes with the Iraqi troops."
He added that Sinawy is listed among the targeted militants in the security
operation recently launched by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki.
The security offensive in Basra was launched on March 25 by government
troops backed by US and British forces to loosen the grip of militias and
gangs over the Shiite-dominated city.
Sinawy is the leader of the Shiite Party Thaar-allah, which was established
in 2005 as a political movement. It became a party after elections in Basra
City.
The Shiite party was involved in several clashes with the Iraqi police in
2006. Since then, it has been accused by the Iraqi forces of committing
violent crimes in the city.
On the other hand, Khalaf also reported that Iraqi forces arrested five
militants and killed five others last night in Al-Timeemiya.(end)
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