2605 failed to qualify.Apr 30, (VOI) - More than 900 people have been killed in clashes between militiamen and security forces in Baghdad's Sadr City that broke out last month, a senior Iraqi official said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference with U.S. army spokesman Kevin Bergner held in Baghdad, Tahseen al-Sheilhly, civil spokesman for Baghdad's security plan, put “the casualty toll from military operations launched by U.S.-Iraqi forces since March 25 at 925 deaths and 2605 wounded.”
The Iraqi government launched a major crackdown dubbed as Saulat al-Fursan (Knights' Assault) on gunmen in Basra, resulting in clashes erupting between government security forces and Mahdi Army militiamen loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Baghadad and major southern cities. Although heavy fighting disappeared in Basr and major cities, it intensified in Baghdad, particularly in the Shiite slum Sadr city.
Al-Sheilhly pointed out, “86 schools were closed due to threats targeting students and teachers.”
“Six hospitals in Sadr city and another one in al-Habibiya district were closed as gunmen adopted them as base for attacking vehicles carrying medicine and medical items” he added.
Al-Sheikhly noted “only 22 out of 77 vehicles dedicated for carrying oil products were able to enter Sadr city as gunmen targeted them trying to rob them, in addition to denying access to ambulances and vehicles carrying blood for patients and those repairing electrical power lines.”
From its side, the Multi-National Forces spokesman Kevin Bergner said, “The projectiles randomly launched by gunmen left 40 civilians killed and 370 others injured in Baghdad during the past weeks.” He blamed Islamic groups of “ randomly launching rockets and mortar from east Baghdad's Sadr city and its perimeters.”