Samarra may prove key to handling of Iraqi 'no-go' zone

SAMARRA, Iraq -- For two months, this historic city of commerce and culture was a "no-go" zone for American troops, firmly in the grip of religious extremists, some linked to al-Qaida. During that time, residents say they endured a reign of terror, where gunmen snatched men from their homes and killed at least 10 of them as American spies.

Finally, city officials cut a deal with the Americans this week to reopen the city in return for an end to attacks. U.S. troops entered Samarra on Thursday for the first time since May 30.

They toured the streets for several hours, inspecting damage from fighting in July and August, and meeting with officials to talk about reconstruction.

"The past two months have been very critical," said merchant Rasheed Mahmoud. "There was almost no law. Kidnappings were widespread. God willing, things will be better now."

It's too early to tell whether the deal will hold. But if it does, it could serve as a model for easing tensions elsewhere in Iraq where insurgents hold sway. Prime Minister Ayad Allawi already has made overtures to insurgent-controlled cities such as Fallujah and Ramadi, hoping to strike deals that will restore state control, marginalize extremists and enable officials to hold elections by the end of January as planned.

Signs of the turmoil are everywhere in this city of 250,000 people, which served for a time as the capital of the Muslim empire in the ninth century. Most of the major streets have been renamed after insurgents killed by the Americans.

Under the agreement with the Americans, U.S. troops will come freely into the city to oversee work on reconstruction and development projects -- and the city fathers will do what they can to guarantee nobody attacks them.

The military also pledged to reopen a bridge across the Tigris that was closed after attacks on U.S. and Iraqi soldiers.

A major condition laid down by the Americans was an end to attacks against them and their Iraqi allies. In return, the Americans promised to stop indiscriminate raids of private homes.