Iraqi authorities stepped-up patrols in Baghdad Sunday as they intensified security to prevent a repeat of car bombings that killed dozens of citizens celebrating Iraq's progress to the finals of Asia's top football tournament last week.
Undeterred by the violence, Iraqi fans prepared to celebrate if their national team beats Saudi Arabia and takes the Asian Cup for the first time.
The jubilation over Iraq's ascension to Sunday's final in Jakarta, Indonesia, gave Iraqis a rare respite from the daily violence. The wins sent men of all ages cheering and dancing in the streets. "We have been suffering for a long time, not just in recent days," striker Younis Mahmoud told reporters Saturday in Jakarta.
According to the AP, Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdul Karim Khalaf said security forces would be on high alert Sunday and patrols would be stepped up. The U.S. military also said it would position soldiers as necessary to maintain security nationwide. "We also will urge people not to celebrate in groups and not go near security forces," Khalaf said. "The terrorists intend to kill as many people as they can in such events. We will also implement tough measures against those who shoot into the air."
Disciplinary action would be taken against members of the security forces who join in celebrations, he said after reports that soldiers left their posts and fired their own weapons in the air after the recent victories. "Their duty is to protect those who are celebrating and not celebrate with them," Khalaf said.
In Kirkuk, 180 miles north of Baghdad, the police chief announced a 6 a.m.-9 p.m. vehicle ban Sunday to prevent suicide car bombings.
Meanwhile, US-led forces killed eight alleged Al-Qaeda members and captured another 22 suspects in raids across central Iraq on Sunday, the American military said. In the largest raid, US-led forces hunted for a "foreign terrorist facilitator and Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader" in the restive town of Yusufiyah south of Baghdad, the military said in a statement.
As the troops neared the building, gunmen opened fire on them, prompting US forces to call in an air strike which killed five "terrorists" and sending others fleeing to an adjacent building. According to AFP, the military said a boy was injured in the operation and later treated at a military hospital.
During a separate operation north of Baghdad, gunmen opened fire on US aircraft patrolling the area. The aircraft returned fire, killing three militants and injuring a fourth, the statement said.
