Sadr City raid nets suspect in soldier abduction
The Associated Press
BAGHDAD Ñ U.S. and Iraqi forces raided BaghdadÕs Sadr City Shiite stronghold Tuesday, detaining seven members of a militia, including one who is suspected of having information about an American soldier who was kidnapped last month, the military said.
The U.S. command said Iraqi forces were attacked with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during the raid, and that U.S. aircraft returned the fire of enemy forces on the ground. It said no coalition casualties were reported, and Òcivilian and enemy casualties could not be determined.Ó
Ahmed Altaie, a 41-year-old Reserve soldier from Ann Arbor, Mich., was visiting his Iraqi wife in Baghdad on Oct. 23 when gunmen handcuffed him and took him away.
The U.S. command said the raid Òdetained an illegal armed group kidnapping and murder cell leader ... reported to have firsthand knowledge of the control and movementÓ of Altaie.
Six other suspected cell members also were detained, the military said.