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September 5, 2008 8:51:26 PM CDT

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Sadr Extends Ceasefire 6 Months

Posted Feb 22, 08 7:38 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Muqtada al-Sadr has extended the ceasefire of his Mahdi Army by six months, writes the Wall Street Journal, confirming yesterday's rumors from US officials. At midday prayers across Iraq imams read out the announcement of the Shiite cleric, who had been under pressure from some of his followers to allow the ceasefire to expire tomorrow.

Since al-Sadr's militia put down its weapons six months ago, violence has receded in Iraq and particularly in Baghdad. But some Sadrists have been angered that the American military have used the relative calm to arrest some members of the movement. But in a statement praising the cleric today, the military said that "those who dishonor the Sadr pledge are regrettably tarnishing both the name and the honor of the movement."

Source Wall Street Journal

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Followers of a radical anti U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr carry his portrait during a ceremony to mark a fourth anniversary of the Shiite uprising against the American occupation in Sadr City, Baghdad,...   (Associated Press)
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr talks to the media in his house in the holy Shiite city of Najaf, Iraq, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005. Al-Sadr announced Friday Feb. 22, 2008 that he will extend a cease-fire order...   (Associated Press)
Followers of a radical anti U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stand by his portrait during a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of a Shiite uprising against U.S. forces in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq,...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • Muqtada al-Sadr  • Mahdi Army  • ceasefire  • Sadrists  • Shiite cleric


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