|
Sadr flip-flops on violence in Iraq
The radical Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr called for a national uprising against American and allied troops Thursday morning, then backed off near midnight after a day of fighting between his guerrillas and American and Iraqi forces.The heaviest fighting occurred mainly in Najaf, a Shiite holy city 100 miles south of Baghdad that is a stronghold for Mr. Sadr. A Marine helicopter was shot down there, but the crew members were evacuated safely, the United States military reported. Baghdad, even in the Shiite slum neighborhood of Sadr City, appeared to be mostly quiet until 11:15 p.m., when three large explosions, probably from mortars, rocked the city's center. Small-arms fire followed. Posted by: Dan Darling 2004-08-06 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=39859 |