Iraqi army, Mahdi militiamen clash (al Sadr calls off rally)

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

BAGHDAD - Iraqi government forces and Shiite militia fighters clashed anew Tuesday despite a government ultimatum to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to either disband his Mahdi Army or give up politics.

Meanwhile, security forces were reported to be blocking al-Sadr's supporters from traveling to Baghdad from outlying areas to attend an anti-U.S. rally scheduled for Wednesday.

Al-Sadr called for the protest to mark the fifth anniversary of the capture of Baghdad by U.S. troops nearly a month after the war started, but many observers see it as a show of force in his confrontation with the government.

The fighting comes as Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, prepared to testify later Tuesday on the war.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

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CNN reporting al Sadr has called off the demonstations Wed due to fear of the gov't cracking down and attacking demonstators.

Aides: Muqtada al-Sadr calls off rally
By ABDUL-HUSSEIN AL-OBEIDI, Associated Press Writer
34 minutes ago



NAJAF, Iraq - Aides to Muqtada al-Sadr say the anti-American Shiite cleric is calling off a mass rally in Baghdad Wednesday.

Iraqi security forces are blocking al-Sadr's followers from traveling to the capital from the southern Shiite heartland where he enjoys wide support.

Two aides in al-Sadr's office in the holy city of Najaf told The Associated Press that the rally had been canceled. They spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement.


more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_sadr_1

[Name removed]

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[maddezmom]

2. 12 killed as Shiite fighters clash with US, Iraqi forces

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Fierce clashes from early morning Tuesday between Shiite fighters and Iraqi and US forces in Baghdad's Sadr City district killed at least 12 people and wounded 36, medics told AFP.

The latest deaths bring to at least 40 the number of people killed since fighting between security forces and Shiite fighters in the east Baghdad bastion of the Mahdi Army militia resumed on Sunday.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080408/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestbaghdadtoll_080408142855;_ylt=ApcQjnY6r1hRoaTXeVhpxJKaOrgF

[ohio2007]

3. His "million man march" would have been a target rich environment. He can't afford to lose

that many loyal followers as he rules his world...... from a pay phone in Iran ;)

Maybe he was worried he couldn't get that many to show up without some sort of small stipend expenditure for militia loyalty.


I was so looking forward to seeing the media covering this future ayatollah of Iraq but he himself is a no show.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3250752&mesg_id=3250816

He doesn't strike me as "leader of the march" MLK type anyway.

[Supersedeas]

4. and yet the media establishment continues repeating talking points..if...if they mention Iraq at all

[ohio2007]

5. Moqtada al-Sadr Ally Shot Dead In Najaf

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e29_1207938458
MSM experts not going to touch that one with a ten foot pole any time soon. Best mookie take a time out from his studies in Iran and rally up his splintering militia.

or

loosen up the old turban and pour himself a tall glass of jihad Johnny Walker black and wrap his head around that.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3264401&mesg_id=3264401