U.S. officers edging their way into Sadr City
The is engaged in sensitive negotiations inside to pave the way for a steady advance by more American and Iraqi soldiers into the volatile Shiite enclave of more than 2 million people in the coming weeks, one of the most difficult problems of the stabilization mission. The sprawling slum, which is heavily controlled by militiamen loyal to an anti-American cleric, is so sensitive that the top US commander personally approves all targets for raids within the Baghdad district, according to military officers.
