http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA95X9ZSSD.htmlShiite Militias Control Parts of Three Iraqi Cities; Japanese, South Koreans Kidnapped
By Lee Keath Associated Press Writers
Published: Apr 8, 2004
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Shiite Muslim militants held partial control Thursday over three southern Iraqi cities( Kufa, Kut, Najaf), while Sunni insurgents killed a U.S. Marine in the battle for Fallujah. In escalating violence against foreign civilians, insurgents kidnapped three Japanese, eight South Koreans and two Arab aid workers from Jerusalem.
In a videotape broadcast to the Arab world by Al-Jazeera, captors armed with automatic rifles and swords threatened to kill the blindfolded Japanese hostages unless Tokyo removed its troops from Iraq. Japan said it had "no reason" to withdraw.
Three explosions rocked central Baghdad, with smoke rising from the Green Zone - the sealed-off neighborhood where the U.S.-led coalition has its headquarters. The military did not immediately report any casualties.
Iraq's interior minister, who leads police and security forces, resigned at the request of top U.S. administrator, L. Paul Bremer, to maintain balance between Sunni and Shiite factions on the governing council. It was unclear if the resignation of Nuri al-Badran was also connected with the failure of Iraqi police to confront insurgents that coalition forces are battling on two fronts. <snip>
Sanchez said there appeared to be links "at the lowest levels" between the Shiite militia - which has been battling coalition forces in at least a half-dozen southern cities this week - and Sunni Arab insurgents who have long fought U.S. troops in central Iraq cities such as Fallujah and Ramadi. <SNIP>
This the AP replacement for
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x472603Militiamen Control Parts of 3 Iraq Cities
By BASSEM MROUE and ABDUL-QADER SAADI
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