BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 18, 2007 — In Iraq there are signs that the government may be taking some of the steps President Bush has called for in his new strategy, including reining in Shiite fighters blamed for kidnapping, torturing and executing large numbers of Sunnis.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki claims he's going after the Mahdi Army, the largest, most dangerous Shiite militia in Iraq. They are blamed for a massive, murderous campaign of religious violence.

"Within the last few days," Maliki said, "400 members of the Mahdi Army have been detained."

The Mahdi Army is run by the radical religious leader Moqtada al Sadr, a fellow Shiite who helped Maliki take power. In an interview to be published in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Sadr confirms 400 of his men have been arrested.

"The final attack against us has already started," said al Sadr. "They can kill me but the Mahdi Army will survive."...