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Iraqi Forces Seize Sunni Group's Headquarters

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The Associated Press

Published: November 15, 2007

BAGHDAD - Iraqi authorities seized the headquarters of the country's most influential Sunni clerical group Wednesday, sealing off its west Baghdad compound and accusing the organization of supporting al-Qaida in Iraq.

The group, the Association of Muslim Scholars, has long opposed the U.S. military presence in Iraq and often taken public positions in support of Sunni insurgent goals. The association spearheaded the Sunni boycott of the January 2005 elections and frequently has been at odds with the Shiite-dominated government.

The timing of the move suggests that the government is more confident it can take action against the hard-line Sunni clerics without risking a backlash within the Sunni community and reprisal attacks by al-Qaida and other insurgent groups.

It also coincided with a powerful blast that hit a U.S. patrol in the center of Baghdad - a chilling reminder that the capital remains dangerous despite notable gains in security in recent weeks.

The roadside bombing - near the Green Zone in the tightly controlled heart of the city - killed one U.S. soldier and wounded five others, according to the U.S. military. Police said two Iraqi civilians also died.

The attackers used one of the sophisticated "penetrator" bombs that the Pentagon claims are being funneled to Shiite militias by Iran. U.S. military officials say Shiite gangs are increasingly their main foes in Baghdad after making important headway against Sunni extremists.

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