US-Iraqi troops battle Shiite militants

[JDPriestly]

Source: Delaware Online (and Thom Hartmann's show)

BAGHDAD (AP) -- A U.S. and Iraqi raid to arrest a rogue Shiite militia leader sparked a fierce battle in the holy city of Karbala Friday that led to a U.S. airstrike and left some 17 militants dead, the military said.
. . . .

The raid in the village of Qasarin, 10 miles north of Baqouba, was targeting a "highly sought operative believed to be a senior leader of a weapons smuggling network," the statement said, although it did not specify whether he was among those captured.

The men were suspected of helping to smuggle fighters and weapons including armor-piercing bombs known as explosively formed penetrators. The powerful roadside devices have killed hundreds of U.S. troops in recent months.

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Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=DEWIL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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Smuggling what from where?

Are U.S. troops looking for evidence of smuggling materials from Iran?

Are Bush and Cheney planning a surprise while Congress is on vacation?

[bemildred]

1. That's it, keep poking the hornets nest. nt