Roundup in Iraqi Marshes Charged

LONDON — Troops of Iraq's Republican Guard are arresting thousands of refugees hiding in southern Iraqi marshes, dissident exiles said Friday.

"The regime's forces are using helicopter gunships to move the detainees to unknown destinations," a statement issued in London by the Islamic Dawa party said.

"This is seen as a carefully planned operation by the regime to slowly close in on the marshes and wipe out tens of thousands of refugees without being noticed or checked by the outside world."