Al-Fadl’s operation ‘message’ to those who seek to hamper political process – PM

BAGHDAD / Aswat a-Iraq: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Friday that the security operation launched in al-Fadl region in Baghdad represents a message to those who seek to hamper the political process. Last Saturday (March 28) a special force captured the sahwa (awakening) tribal leader, Adel al-Mashhadani, and one of his aides in the central Baghdad area of al-Fadl on charges of “terrorism”. Speaking to the state-run al-Iraqia satellite television, al-Maliki said “The arresting came after six months of investigation.” Al-Mashhadani is accused of killing citizens and violating the law in his region, in addition to forming a banned party linked to the Baath party, according to security sources. Iraqi police sources said two people were killed and six others wounded in clashes that erupted between security forces and gunmen after the arrest of Mashhadani and his aide. SH (P) 1