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U.S.: Bombing leaders caught

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 27, 2007

BAGHDAD - Leaders of a car-bombing ring believed responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Iraqis in the Shiite Sadr City enclave and elsewhere in Baghdad have been captured, the U.S. military said Monday.

The suspected bombers were rounded up last week by American forces during continuing security sweeps in Azamiyah, the Sunni stronghold in northern Baghdad, the military statement said.

The U.S. command said one of the detained men, Haitham al-Shimari, was suspected in the "planning and execution of the majority of car bombs which have killed hundreds of Iraqi citizens in Sadr City."

The reported second-in-command of the Azamiyah cell, Haidar al-Jafar, was arrested the same day. The military said that group had "killed approximately 900 innocent Iraqi citizens" and wounded 1,950.

Three other men believed connected to the bombing cell also were in custody, the military said.

Fast Facts:

Also in Iraq

Marine callup: The Marine Corps is recalling 1,800 reservists to active duty, citing a shortage of volunteers to fill some jobs in Iraq. Members of the branch's Individual Ready Reserve will get letters this week notifying them of plans to mobilize them involuntarily for a year, said Lt. Col. Jeff Riehl of Marine manpower and reserve affairs. They would report for duty in October and deploy to Iraq early next year, Riehl said.

Violence: At least 35 people were killed or found dead Monday in Iraq. Fifteen bullet-riddled bodies were found in Baghdad.

Refugees: Emergency camps to host Iraqis fleeing their country could be built if their numbers increase beyond the point where neighboring nations can cope, the U.N. refugee agency said Monday. Already about 2-million Iraqis are living under difficult conditions in Syria, Jordan and other countries in the region.

[Last modified March 27, 2007, 01:30:04]