Baghdad arrest sets off clashes

American and Iraqi forces arrested an influential U.S. ally Saturday, triggering fierce clashes in central Baghdad that threatened to disrupt a key pillar of American efforts to stabilize the capital as combat forces draw down. As Apache helicopter gunships cruised above Baghdad's Fadhil neighborhood, former Sunni insurgents fought from rooftops and street corners against American and Iraqi forces, according to witnesses, the Iraqi military and police. At least 15 people were wounded in the gunfights, which lasted several hours. By nightfall, the street fighters had taken five Iraqi soldiers hostage. The battles, the most ferocious in nearly a year in Baghdad, erupted minutes after the arrest of Adil Mashadani, the leader of the Fadhil Awakening Council, which is composed mostly of former Sunni insurgents who allied themselves with the U.S. military in exchange for monthly salaries that are now paid by Iraq's government. The formation of Awakening councils across Iraq, which include an estimated 100,000 fighters, is widely credited with bringing down levels of violence in many Sunni insurgent strongholds such as Fadhil. But mistrust has lingered between the councils and Iraq's Shiite leaders; Saturday's violence put on display these tensions, which appear to be deepening. "We will fight them till the end if they don't release him," declared Abu Mirna, a spokesman for the Fadhil Awakening Council. As he spoke by phone, the sounds of heavy gunfire could be heard in the background. Iraq's chief military spokesman, Gen. Qassim Atta, said an arrest warrant had been issued for Mashadani and an aide for committing "terrorist acts." U.S. military commanders have expressed concern that many Awakening fighters, dubbed the Sons of Iraq by the U.S. military, could end up returning to supporting the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq if they feel oppressed by the government. Most Awakening groups have been transferred to Iraqi government control, much to the dissatisfaction of many of their leaders. In recent months, Iraqi security forces have targeted dozens of Awakening leaders in Baghdad, Anbar and Diyala provinces for past crimes, fearing they could turn against them once U.S. troops withdraw. And for the past year, many Awakening commanders and fighters have expressed frustration over late salary payments and low acceptance rates into Iraq's security forces. On Saturday, a U.S. military spokesman said that Mashadani was not arrested for his role as an Awakening leader and that the groups were not being targeted. "The Sons of Iraq have provided a great service to the people of Iraq," said Col. Bill Buckner, a U.S. military spokesman. "The security improvements during the last two years would not have been possible without their honorable contribution and sacrifice." In Fadhil, anger mounted against the American military. Awakening fighters said they felt betrayed for the support role the U.S. troops played in Mashadani's arrest. By Saturday night, U.S. armored vehicles patrolled the streets; others were positioned at entrances to the neighborhoods. American snipers flashed green laser lights at approaching vehicles signaling them to turn around. Abu Mirna said it was too early to decide whether the fighters would break off their alliance with the U.S. military. But it was clear their relationship had been tainted by Mashadani's arrest and Saturday's clashes. "The American forces do not have credibility with us," Abu Mirna said. "They fought the Fadhil people. We used to call the American forces 'the friendly forces.' What they have done today was unexpected. What happened today will affect the trust between other Awakening groups and the Americans." "If they don't release Adil Mashadani, all the Awakening in Iraq will rise up like our uprising today," he added. The reaction from other Awakening leaders across Baghdad was mixed. In the former Sunni insurgent haven of Dora, Ali Hussain Hafidh, an Awakening commander, said he was alarmed by the sight of four U.S. Humvees on his street. "I said to myself, 'They must have arrived to arrest me,'–he said. "We always feel worried about our usual enemies such as al-Qaeda and the Shiite militias. Now, we have to add the Americans and the Iraqi government to our worries." In Baghdad's Adhamiyah enclave, another former Sunni insurgent stronghold, there was little support for Mashadani. "We heard that he is killing people and that he has started to take protection money from taxi drivers," said Riad Sammarai, the deputy leader of the neighborhood Awakening. "This will never affect our relationship with the Americans." For years, Fadhil was a sectarian battlefield for Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias. Today, the scars are still visible in the bullet-pocked walls and shattered buildings amid graffiti that idolized Mashadani. He has been an outspoken critic of the government for not accepting more Awakening fighters into the Iraqi security forces. His men had also not been paid by the government in two months. They have fanned out into the streets, manning checkpoints alongside Iraqi soldiers and police. But there was little trust between them. "This is a feast. It's like Christmas," said Abu Karar, an Iraqi sergeant, who was standing on the edge of Fadhil on Saturday evening, alongside five Humvees. "They are all al-Qaeda. Since 2003, we've been fighting them." When asked what should happen to Mashadani, he replied by drawing his finger across his neck. Abu Karar looked down Jamuriyah Street, one of Baghdad's busiest thoroughfares, which passes by Fadhil. It was now empty, save for a few people walking swiftly in the darkness. The scene was reminiscent of the capital during the height of the sectarian strife in 2006 and 2007 -- and in stark contrast to the bustling markets and night life in other neighborhoods ushered in by the improved security. Mashadani, his comrades said, was arrested at a checkpoint on Jamuriyah Street on Saturday afternoon. Four Iraqi Humvees pulled up and soldiers whisked him away, according to witnesses. Ten minutes later, chaos erupted. "We were playing cards, and then suddenly we heard shooting," said Abu Ahmed, 44. Inside the enclave, Abu Mohammed seethed. "Everybody here is sad for Mashadani and wonder why they arrested him," said Abu Mohammed, 43, who owns a spare-parts store. "He has not killed anybody. He is the one who eliminated sectarianism in Fadhil." If Mashadani is not released, blustered Abu Ayad, 58, "we will all become suicide bombers."