Iraqi-US force raids Shi'ite stronghold in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Dec 16 (Reuters) A special Iraqi army unit backed by US troops killed one militant and arrested six people during operations against a death squad leader in a Baghdad Shi'ite stronghold early today, the US military said.

The military said the target, who appears to have evaded capture, was believed to lead a group of 100 militants who conducted kidnappings, killings and rocket attacks against some neighbourhoods from Sadr City.

''Minimal damage was caused to the objective and surrounding area and there were no reports of civilian casualties. There were no Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties,'' the US military's statement said.

Sadr City, a heavily populated Shi'ite slum of two million, is a stronghold for the Mehdi Army militia loyal to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Sunnis accuse Mehdi militiamen of targeting their community, a charge Sadr denies.

The northern Baghdad slum has been a regular target of devastating bombings by Sunni Arab militants. In November, the deadliest attack since the US-led invasion killed more than 200 people in the district.

REUTERS LL SSC1423