The Iraqi Army reported killing 30 militants as the latest operation to control deadly sectarian violence in Baghdad got underway.
Hours earlier, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that Iraqi forces would wage a campaign to establish control of Baghdad's neighbourhoods.
"The Baghdad security plan will not offer a safe shelter for outlaws regardless of their ethnic and political affiliations, and we will punish anyone who hesitates to implement orders because of his ethnic and political background," al-Maliki said in a speech at the 85th anniversary celebration of the Iraqi army.
He asked Baghdad residents for patience during the operation.
"We are full aware that implementing the plan will lead to some harassment to all of beloved Baghdad's residents, but we are confident that they fully understand the brutal terrorist attacks Iraq faces," al-Maliki said.
Hassan al-Suneid, a key aide to al-Maliki, said 20,000 soldiers had been committed to the operation. American troops and firepower would only be called on when needed.
A U.S. statement hinted that Iraqi military officials wouldn't be completely independent.
"As stated by the prime minister today, MNF-I (U.S. forces) will provide appropriate assistance as determined by Iraqi and coalition (American) field commanders, for the implementation of the new plan for securing Baghdad and its surrounding environs," said the statement, issued by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. George Casey, the overall American commander in Iraq.
U.S. President George W. Bush is reportedly ready to sent at least 9,000 troops from outside Iraq to try and help stabilize Baghdad.
Al-Suneid said the drive would focus on Sunni insurgent strongholds.
However, Shiite militias loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have been committing much of the violence. Al-Sadr is a key backer of al-Maliki, who has refused American pressure to crack down on the Mahdi Army.
Sectarian violence has plagued the capital city in recent months, and Washington intends to release a long-awaited new strategy next week to quell the violence by Sunni insurgents and Shiite death squads.
However, an effort to control sectarian violence last fall failed to produce results.
The last half of 2006 was one of the most violent periods in the centre and west of Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to depose Saddam Hussein.
On Saturday, the violence in Baghdad continued with two car bombs and the discovery of 27 bodies in a Sunni-dominated area. Most of the bodies had been tortured.
Eight other people were reported killed, or were found dead in the capital, their deaths linked to sectarian violence.
Country-wide, a total of 97 people were reported killed or found dead, including the above victims in Baghdad.
With files from The Associated Press
