Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh expressed support Saturday for efforts aimed at "achieving order and security in Sadr City."
"The agreement represents the government's vision to end armed displays and purge al-Sadr City from roadside bombs and mines and impose the law in the city," al-Dabbagh said in a statement.
"Iraqi security forces are the only force to achieve this and the government has the right to raid and search any place suspected of possessing heavy or medium weapons," al-Dabbagh said. "The government is also committed to chase all wanted people under the supervision of the prime minister."
There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military on the reported deal.
The newly announced cease-fire comes after government-backed Shiite envoys set strict demands for Shiite militias to end their battles against Iraqi and U.S. forces in a meeting with al-Sadr's supporters on Thursday.
"A 10-point agreement has been reached between members from the United Iraqi Alliance and Sadrist movement in Baghdad and we are informed that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is committed to it," al-Obeidi said in the southern city of Najaf.
He added that "the agreement stipulates that the Mahdi Army will stop fighting in Sadr City and will stop displaying arms in public. In return, the government will stop random raids against al-Sadr followers and open all closed roads that lead to Sadr City."
The article mentions the militia as 60,000 strong. Given the press has said Sadr has 60,000 about 10,000 casualties or so ago (ok, I'm just grabbign a number out of the air, but you get my point) this seems unlikely. Like I've said before, this number is just one of those urban myths that gets passed along, gaining credibility every time it is printed.
So the Mahdi Army pulls off the streets and the government still will pursue the Shia thugs it wants to get--only so-called "random" raids will stop.
The war against the Iranian-backes Shia special groups will go on and the average Mahdi Army guys get to go home rather than get gunned down in battles against the Iraqi army and US Army backed by all our precise firepower that finds the SOBs whether they hide or set up next to hospitals.
I'm giddy with anticipation to see how the press will spin this as a Sadr victory on the Sunday news!
