By , Associated Press | April 1, 2008
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister al-Maliki, returning from the southern city of Basra, said today that a week-old operation against Shiite militias has been a "success" despite a cease-fire that did not disarm the gunmen and left him politically battered.
The Shiite leader stopped short of declaring an end to the offensive that began a week ago today in Basra, sparking retaliatory clashes in Baghdad and other southern cities, and criticism that his government was unprepared for the fierce backlash.
The militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, meanwhile, thanked his fighters for "defending your people, your land, and your honor."
Sporadic fighting continued in Baghdad and Basra, but the cities otherwise were calm two days after the radical Shiite cleric called on his fighters to stand down in a bid to end the widening conflict.
An American helicopter fired a missile at gunmen attacking ground forces in the Baghdad militia stronghold of Sadr City, killing six militants, the military said. Iraqi police and witnesses said three civilians were killed in the strike.
Amid the tensions, Defense Secretary Des Browne of Britain said a plan to withdraw around 1,500 troops based mainly around Basra has been postponed. Mr. Browne said it would be "prudent" to pause any further reductions while the situation was unfolding.
Ground forces called for the airstrike in Sadr City after gunmen fired at a tank and rolled a burning tire in their direction, a military spokesman in Baghdad, Major Mark Cheadle, said.
Iraqi police said American troops opened fire hours later in Sadr City, killing three unarmed men and wounding six people, including two children. Major Cheadle denied American forces were involved in such an incident.
Mr. al-Maliki said in the statement issued by his office that the operation had achieved "security, stability, and success" in Basra.
He announced a seven-point plan to stabilize the area, including recruiting 10,000 more police and army forces from local tribes and moving to enhance public services for the embattled population of some 2 million.
The prime minister's office later issued another statement asserting that the offensive was "legitimate."
"We fulfilled our security commitments and responsibilities, which paved the way toward law enforcement and security," he said.
Mr. al-Maliki returned to Baghdad today a week after launching the offensive in Basra, the head of Iraq's National Media Center, Ali al-Moussawi, said.
