Iraqi Troops Welcomed In Sadr City

A teen lifts weights at a gym in Sadr City that reopened after Iraqi troops were deployed in the Shiite stronghold. The troops were welcomed with flowers and copies of the Koran. (By Ernesto Londono -- The Washington Post)
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Rivalries between Sadr's political organization and the United Iraqi Alliance, the bloc of Shiite parties to which Maliki belongs, could also unravel the truce. The political tension has fueled violence and led Sadrists to accuse Maliki of using Iraq's security forces to undermine Sadr ahead of the provincial elections, which are widely expected to alter the country's political landscape and could weaken the authority of the central government.

Iraqi soldiers began searching for banned weapons and wanted militiamen on Wednesday, a day after taking positions in Humvees and armored vehicles along the district's main roads. Many soldiers appeared relaxed. Some napped in their vehicles.

"We are not afraid to go anywhere," said Sgt. Romi Sayah, 30. "We did not come to go against any political party. We're only after the outlaws."

Sayah said he was relieved that U.S. troops were not playing a central role in the operation, which would have provoked the militias. He said U.S. forces should leave Iraq. "I think it's time," he said. "The Iraqi army has proven itself."

Hussain Abu Fararah, a 30-year-old fishmonger, said he was pleased that businesses were starting to open again.

"The situation is very good right now," he said. "The last few weeks everything has been cut off. No work."

His only gripe, he said jokingly, is that fish he buys in other parts of the city die en route to Sadr City because it takes so long to clear checkpoints.

"It takes three or four hours to get in," he said. "The fish don't hold on that long."

In Basra, residents are enjoying a renewed sense of security after years of lawlessness.

Approximately 20,000 Iraqi soldiers and scores of policemen blanket the city, manning checkpoints on virtually every stretch of road. Gen. Mohan al-Furaiji, who until a week ago was the top Iraqi army commander in Basra, said the military had detained more than 800 suspected militiamen. Others have fled the city or abandoned their militias or were killed, he said.

Furaiji said the situations in Basra and Sadr City were different. Unlike in Basra, militiamen in Sadr City were receptive to the presence of Iraqi forces and promised to lay down their weapons.

"The plan is to clean Sadr City of weapons, and capture those wanted by the judiciary," Furaiji said. "If anyone challenges the situation and tries to fight us, we will fight back."

On Basra's al-Jazaar Street, Akeel al-Asadi, 38, gave a haircut in his brightly lighted barbershop. "The presence of the Iraqi army has made people safe, not 100 percent, but 90 percent," he said.

Raghavan reported from Basra. Correspondent Amit R. Paley and special correspondents Saad al-Izzi in Baghdad and Aahad Ali in Basra contributed to this report.