A Month in Sadr City
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - MAY 20: Iraqi Army soldiers line up before crossing the concrete barrier dividing Sadr City to take control of the 2.5 million Shia dominated stronghold of cleric Moktada al-Sadr for the first time since 2003 on May 20, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq. Six Iraqi Army battalions were used in the dawn military operation designed and executed by Iraqi security forces taken from the Iraqi Army and National Police. The US armed forces played a supportive and mentoring role. Shia militia units loyal to Moktada al-Sadr had been facing increasing military firepower, property damage and civilian casualties since fighting began between militias and US armed forces on March 25, 2008. The 12' high concrete barrier was opened in 4-6 places today in order to let in the Iraqi Army forces. US forces must stay south of the barrier running along al-Quds Street, left to right. (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)