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Death of Sadr Aide Sparks Battles in Baghdad

Posted Apr 11, 08 8:02 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – 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.

Troops returned fire as an unmanned US aircraft swept in and killed three men planting more bombs, he said. Now US jets and helicopters are rocking Baghdad's Sadr slum with missile attacks. Meanwhile, US and Iraqi officials have reached out to al-Sadr. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani condemned the shooting today, but met with Sadr-bloc MPs. "They discussed the importance of quieting the situation," his office said.

Sources Reuters, CNN

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Family members and mourners carry coffin with Riyadh al-Nouri.   (AP Photo)
Residents gather to overlook a school building on fire in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City, Baghdad.   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
An Iraqi army tank patrols in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City, Baghdad.   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
U.S. Army vehicles passing under a picture of the late Ayatollah Mohammed Sadiq al-Sadr, Muqtada's al-Sadr's father.   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
Picture of Riyadh al-Nouri, senior aide to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who was assassinated today in Najaf.   (AP Photo)
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Iraq • Iraq war • Baghdad • US Army • Moqtada al-Sadr • assassination • Mahdi Army • Basra • Sadr City • Iraq Army • Jalal Talabani • Najaf


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