BAGHDAD -- Fighting ebbed and residents began emerging from their homes as a deal to halt the violence took effect yesterday in Sadr City, the Baghdad slum that has been the focus of clashes pitting U.S. and Iraqi forces against militiamen loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
But after more than seven weeks of bloodshed, officials and residents were cautious about declaring the hostilities over.
U.S. and Iraqi officials said they were limiting operations yesterday to give the agreement negotiated by Shiite political factions, and endorsed by Prime Minister Nouri al-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 [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 sustained earlier that day.
"Things are much better than yesterday," said Ameer Zabour, a civil servant who fled the recent fighting but returned yesterday to see whether 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.
As attack helicopters circled overhead, members of al-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.
U.S. and Iraqi troops have clashed daily with the cleric's followers in Sadr City and elsewhere since late March, when the government began a crackdown against private armies that was focused on the Mahdi militia. Hundreds have been killed in the fighting, many of them civilians.
