US-Iraqi raid on Sadr City kills 3

Baghdad: US and Iraqi forces raided Baghdad's mainly Shiite Sadr City on Tuesday, killing at least three people and detaining seven members of a militia loyal to Muqtada Al Sadr, police said.

Forces raided the suburb at 5am, seeking out death squads and US soldier Ahmad Qusai Al Taayie, who was kidnapped last month. Troops called in the air strike after clashing with militia.

Police said three Iraqis, including a six-month-old boy, were killed and 15 wounded during the raid. Several homes also were damaged during the attack.

“I am suspending my membership in Parliament since it remains silent about crimes such as this against the Iraqi people,'' said Saleh Al Ukailli, a Shiite legislator. “I will not return to parliament until the occupation troops leave the country.''

Sadr City is the headquarters of the Madhi Army, the Shiite militia suspected of having carried out the mass kidnapping at a Ministry of Higher Education office in Baghdad on November 14.

The US military said the raid “detained an illegal armed group kidnapping and murder cell leader ... reported to have firsthand knowledge of the control and movement'' of the kidnapped soldier.

Six other men were also detained.