BAGHDAD — Fighting ebbed and residents emerged from their homes as a deal to halt fighting took effect Sunday in Sadr City, the Baghdad slum that has been the focus of ongoing clashes pitting U.S. and Iraqi forces against militiamen loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr.
But after more than seven weeks of bloodshed, officials and residents alike were cautious about declaring the hostilities over.
Ali Radi, a car mechanic who moved his wife and children out of the neighborhood for safety, said occasional explosions and bursts of gunfire kept him awake all night
"Each side is laughing at the other, and we are the victim," he said glumly.
U.S. and Iraqi officials said they were limiting operations Sunday to give the agreement negotiated by Shiite political factions, and endorsed by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, a chance to take hold. But they warned that they would continue to respond to any attacks.
"This agreement really doesn't change anything for us," said Lt. Col. Steven Stover, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Baghdad. "If we see criminal activity -- a guy with rockets, mortars or planting an IED [improvised explosive device] -- we will kill him."
Despite the intermittent crackle of automatic-weapons fire, residents said clashes appeared less intense than in previous days. Officials at two hospitals said they had received six people with wounds since Saturday night, and a child had died of injuries suffered earlier that day.
"Things are much better than yesterday," said Ameer Zabour, a civil servant who fled the recent fighting, but returned Sunday to see if the truce was taking effect. "I am optimistic that the cease-fire will continue and bring good results, as long as the American forces stay out of it." The U.S. military said it killed a gunman who attacked its soldiers. And in the worst-hit sections of Sadr City, businesses remained shuttered along main roads, which residents said were laced with bombs.
But some stores opened again in side streets. Shoppers crowded a market where fresh fruit and vegetables were available, and municipal workers were out repairing electricity lines.
As attack helicopters circled overhead, members of Sadr's Mahdi Army militia kept watch from the district's narrow alleys but did not display their weapons.
Many militiamen were taken by surprise when the deal was announced, and some were less than enthusiastic.
