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Sunni Group Allies Itself With Sadr
A Sunni group yesterday made common cause with nutcase fiery Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr as captors of a US soldier demanded the release of fighters being held by US-led forces in Iraq in exchange for his life. Mohamed Ayash Al-Kubaisi, representative of the Muslim Clerics Association, told Al-Arabiya television that all Iraqis resisting the US-led occupation were working toward the same goal, including Sadr. âWe support him (Sadr) and he supports us in this resistance. We are in one boat and are responsible for protecting this boat,â Kubaisi said, adding his group has issued fatwas for ending the occupation. âIraqis are aware that itâs not in our interests to compete for sectarian gains. The Shiite resistance... strengthens our will as we are both fighting the same enemy.â
Sadrâs supporters in Najaf said mediation efforts with the US-led coalition had failed and they feared American troops were poised to attack. âMediations with the US side have been halted because the mediators have told us the Americans are putting obstacles toward finding solutions to the crisis and the situation is getting worse,â Qais Al-Khazaali, the head of Sadrâs office told reporters in Najaf. âWe are expecting the Americans to attack Najaf any moment now,â he said.
Posted by: Fred 2004-04-18 |
