Qaeda defeated in main Baghdad neighborhood

Azzaman, November 12, 2007

Forces loyal to government have purged the restive and violent Baghdad’s Adhamiya quarter of Qaeda fighters, according to Ahmad al-Samarrai.

Samarrai said Qaeda ‘terrorists’ were defeated and forced out of the neighborhood following two days of ferocious fighting.

Samarrai is head of the government-sponsored Sunni endowments in Baghdad.

Many Sunnis have turned against the so-called ‘Qaeda in Mesopotamia’ and have formed alliances backed by U.S. troops to flush Qaeda members from their areas. These newly formed tribal militias are locally known as ‘Sahawa’ or Awakening.

“After two days of fighting the Awakening Forces of Adhamiya have spread their full control over Adhamiya’s streets and districts,” said Samarrai.

Samarrai called on shop owners and businesses in Adhamiya to return to work, urging the inhabitants to “go about their life in a normal way.”

“I confirm that the whole of Adhamiya has been purged of these criminal gangs,” he added.