国际英语新闻：Iraqi forces take over Baghdad Sunni neighborhood after clashes

BAGHDAD, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces backed by U.S. troops on Sunday took full control of a Sunni enclave in central Baghdad after a two-day crossfire with local militants, a source and witnesses said.

    Iraqi security forces have taken control of the Sunni neighborhood of Fadel, a former stronghold by al-Qaida militants. They have been searching the area house by house, ordering militants to disarm completely, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Iraqi army soldiers patrol a street during a military operation in Baghdad's al-Fadhil district March 29, 2009

According to local residents, the neighborhood has turned back to tranquility, and Iraqi security forces have set up a temporary headquarters in the neighborhood and ordered the militants to handover their weapons to soldiers.

    "Anyone who still keeps a weapon would be treated as a terrorist," security forces voiced their demands through loudspeakers.

    Iraqi army blocked the entrances of the neighborhood since fierce fighting erupted on Saturday afternoon following the arrest of Adel al-Mashhadani, head of local Awakening Council group, and his aide.

Iraqi army deploy in a street during a military operation in Baghdad's al-Fadhil district March 29, 2009.

"The residents of the neighborhood are cooperating with the Iraqi security forces and they hand over their weapons without problems," Iraqi media quoted General Qassim Atta, spokesman for Baghdad military command, as saying.

    On Saturday, Atta said the two leaders of Awakening Council group were arrested under a judiciary warrant.

    Tensions run high in Baghdad after clashes between the Iraqi forces and the Awakening Council group, raising fresh concerns on the stability of the war-torn country.

    Located on the eastern side of Tigris River that bisects the Iraqi capital, Fadel district is an old and impoverished Sunni enclave surrounded by Shiite neighborhoods.

    The U.S.-backed Awakening Council groups are mostly anti-U.S. Sunni insurgents who turned their rifles against al-Qaida militants after the latter committed indiscriminate killings against both Shiite and Sunni communities.