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Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said his governmental forces backed by the U.S. troops was about to implement a major offensive to crackdown on outlawed armed groups from all sectarian factions in Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Saturday his governmental forces backed by the U.S. troops was about to implement a major offensive to crackdown on outlawed armed groups from all sectarian factions in Baghdad. (Photo: Xinhua/ Reuters)
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BAGHDAD, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi army exchanged fire with militants in central Baghdad on Saturday, killing 30 militants and arrested eight others, including four Sudanese, state television Al-Iraqiya said.

The firefight broke out in the Sunni-dominated Haifa Street between Iraqi soldiers and militants, Al-Iraqiya reported, adding 30 insurgents were killed and eight arrested, including four Sudanese.

Earlier Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said his governmental forces backed by the U.S. troops was about to implement a major offensive to crackdown on outlawed armed groups from all sectarian factions in Baghdad.

"The security plan is ready," Maliki said, adding that "we will depend on our armed forces to carry out this plan and the Multi- National Force will support our forces."

The Iraqi forces backed by U.S. troops will begin a eighborhood-by-neighborhood offensive in Baghdad this weekend to contain Sunniin surgents and Shiite death squads, according to Iraqi officials.