Al-Sadr Orders His Militia Off Streets of Basra

Related Newser Stories

• Iraqi Troops Seize Sadr Stronghold

  Apr 19, 08 9:11 AM CDT
  In a major new clash, Iraqi troops backed by American and British firepower today captured a stronghold of fighters loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in Basra, said Iraqi officials. In a show of force, American planes and British artillery attacked a deserted area outside the Sadr-controlled section of Hayaniya before Iraqi troops moved into the neighborhood and seized the center, Reuters reports. More »

• Death of Sadr Aide Sparks Battles in Baghdad

  Apr 11, 08 8:02 PM CDT
  The murder of a Moqtada al-Sadr aide triggered heavy fighting in Baghdad today after al-Sadr’s men attacked US and Iraqi forces, Reuters reports. The cleric blamed “the hand of the occupier” for the death of Riyadh al-Nuri, a close relative, and vowed not to forget “this precious blood.” A US commander told CNN that battles broke out when a US patrol, backing Iraqi forces, ran into 10 roadside bombs and sustained heavy fire. More »

• Baghdad Curfew Lifted; Basra Violence Slows

  Mar 31, 08 8:31 AM CDT
  Baghdad authorities lifted a 3-day-old curfew today as violence ebbed and soldiers from Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army began to heed his call yesterday to stand down, reports the AFP. The southern city of Basra also eased its curfew as 6 days of violent clashes wound down, although the BBC reported sporadic gunfire and parts of the city that were still under Mahdi Army control. More »

• Brits Join the Fight in Basra

  Mar 29, 08 11:27 AM CDT
  As the Iraqi army struggles to combat militias in Basra, British troops for the first time directly joined the fight, and American forces expanded their bombing beyond the militia stronghold. The Brits, who had previously provided only logistical and air support to the Iraqis, fired on an insurgent mortar team in Bosra, the Telegraph reports. Moqtada al-Sadr, meanwhile, told his soldiers not to surrender their weapons.
  More »

• US Joins Basra Battle; Maliki Extends Deadline

  Mar 28, 08 8:18 AM CDT
  Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki today gave Shia militants in Basra 10 more days to turn over their weapons, as fighting continued in Iraq’s third largest city. The US, meanwhile, made its first moves in the fight, bombing Mahdi Army positions, the BBC reports. Muqtada al Sadr, the radical cleric who leads the Shia militias, called last night for a political solution to end the fighting that has claimed 130 lives. More »