By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The Iraqi authorities closed down a number of Sadrist neighbourhoods east of Baghdad Sunday following violent clashes on Saturday night.
Official spokesperson for the Iraqi security forces Major-General Qassim Atta said in a statement that a patrol unit in Sadr city suffered severe firing from numerous locations which forced the unit into retaliation.
Earlier on Sunday, security forces searched and surrounded seven neighbourhoods in the city.
The operation led to the capture of two wanted suspects, the discovery of 10 improvised explosive devices, some weapons and artillery.
Sadr city has witnessed a rapid spread of military presence after the Iraqi security forces managed to drive out most of the militia in the area, especially those belonging to the Mahdi Army that took up refuge in Sadr.