Iraqi forces raid Shi'ite mosque, detain 20

BAGHDAD, July 9 (Reuters) Iraqi troops raided a Shi'ite mosque in southeastern Baghdad after receiving a tip-off that a suspected ''terrorist cell leader'' was hiding inside and detained 20 people, the US military said.

The mosque is believed to be loyal to radical young cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose Mehdi Army fighters have been the target of several recent operations by government and US forces, including a major raid on Baghdad's Sadr City area on Friday.

The US military said last night operation was conducted by Iraqi soldiers and police, but police at the scene said US troops, backed by armoured fighting vehicles were also present.

Iraqi security forces entered Sadrain mosque in Zafaraniya district after besieging the building for four hours. No shots were fired but six AK-47s were seized, the military said.

Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has said his national unity coalition formed two months ago will crack down on nominally pro-government Shi'ite militias as well as the minority Sunni Arab insurgency.

He launched a security clampdown a month ago in the capital, where dozens are dying every day in sectarian violence.

REUTERS SHB VC1145