Crackdown Begins in Baghdad

Despite the best efforts of the Democrat insurgents in Washington, the security crackdown in Baghdad has begun.

Thousands of U.S. troops swept house-to-house through mostly Shiite areas near a militia stronghold Wednesday in the opening phase of the long-awaited Baghdad security crackdown.

The clearing operation began as Iraqi forces set up new checkpoints across the city of 6 million people, snarling traffic and forcing Iraqis to stream across bridges on foot.

The neighborhoods targeted by the Americans are north of the Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City, which had been off-limits until Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki lifted his protection of them.