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U.S. troops assault deputy health
minister in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, February 8 (PL) — In attacking the Iraqi
Health Ministry offices, U.S. and Iraqi troops are
carrying out a security plan in line with
Washington’s new strategy against the resistance
forces in Baghdad.
The
campaign, begun last night, is connected with the
occupiers’ interest in annihilating insurgent forces
in this city and in the neighboring province of Al
Anbar.
In
the assault on the Health Ministry, the attackers
arrested Deputy Minister Hakim al Zamili and several
employees.
It
was not known where the official was taken, and
charges against him were not indicated, but he has
been associated with the opposition Mahdi Army, led
by the cleric Moqtada al Sadr.
Eyewitnesses to the assault said that the joint
troops overpowered the Ministry’s security guards,
forcibly entered its offices, fired at the ceiling
and arrested the officials.
Hours earlier, the command center of the occupation
forces reported that it was implementing a plan of
counterinsurgency measures in Baghdad.
The
U.S. command did not comment on the attack on the
Ministry or the arrest of the deputy minister.
The
state-run television channel Al Iraqiya confirmed
the incident and the Qatari-based Al Jazeera added
that several Kurdish militia members also
participated in the raid.
The
plan by U.S. troops, with the help of the Iraqi
Army, is to build fences around the neighborhoods
Qadisiya and Yarmuk, in western Baghdad.
(Translated by Granma International) |
