Violence after US troops raid Iraq Shi'ite office

DIWANIYA, Iraq, Sep 14 (Reuters) US troops raided an office of the political movement led by radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in a southern Iraqi city today and several people were hurt in subsequent disturbances, witnesses said.

Followers of Sadr, whose Mehdi Army militia fought the Iraqi army in the city two weeks ago, said US troops raided their headquarters in Diwaniya, 180 km south of Baghdad, around 4 a m (O53O IST), removing computers and papers.

A local journalist saw soldiers return to the area of the office, on a crowded, narrow commercial street, some hours later. People around the office threw rocks at the Americans, and there was some shooting and explosions, he said.

A woman and her daughter were hurt, apparently in a blast.

After the US force withdrew, several dozen Sadr supporters marched to the office of the local governor's office. Guards there opened fire on them, wounding four, the reporter said.

At least 20 Iraqi soldiers were killed in the August 28 battle with the militia. Commanders said about 50 guerrillas were killed, though Mehdi Army leaders put their casualties at three.

A Polish military helicopter was forced down by gunfire during the fighting, which highlighted factional power struggles among Iraq's now dominant Shi'ite majority, especially in the oil-rich, overwhelmingly Shi'ite south of the country.

A deal brokered in the nearby holy city of Najaf between Sadr and the local governor, who represents the rival Shi'ite party SCIRI, brought an end to hours of clashes.

A US force with dozens of vehicles including tanks was then despatched to the Polish-run base in the hitherto peaceful, city, Iraqi commanders said. The Americans have mounted patrols and Sadr aides have told his followers not to confront them.

Hundreds of Mehdi Army fighters were killed in two abortive uprisings against US and British occupation in 2004.

Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has promised to disband militias from all communities and to build up the Iraqi security forces. It is not clear, however, how he aims to persuade the likes of the Mehdi Army to lay down its arms.

Many in the once dominant Sunni minority blame Sadr's followers for sectarian death squad killings, a charge the young cleric vehemently denies. US officials say Sadr is not in full control of the movement that owes him allegiance, however.

REUTERS BDP VV1446