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Green Zone Strike Kills 2 in Sandstorm

Violence comes after al-Sadr's plea to end fighting

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 27, 2008 6:35 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Hidden in a sandstorm, militants struck the US-protected Green Zone in Baghdad today and killed at least two Iraqis, the Los Angeles Times reports. The mortar or rocket attack, which also wounded 25, came just 2 days after influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered members of his Mahdi Army to end recent fighting.

The Green Zone wasn’t the only site of violence in Baghdad today: Overnight clashes in Sadr City left at least five people dead and 44 injured. The US military has said most of the 712 rockets and mortar rounds fired in Baghdad in the last month were made in Iran, bolstering its suspicion that Tehran is backing the Shiite insurgency.

An Iraqi soldier covers his face as a sandstorm envelops Najaf.
An Iraqi soldier covers his face as a sandstorm envelops Najaf.   (AP Photo)
An Iraqi man covers his face as a sandstorm envelops the Shiite holy city of Najaf.
An Iraqi man covers his face as a sandstorm envelops the Shiite holy city of Najaf.   (AP Photo)
A sandstorm engulfed Baghdad today, prompting Shiite militiamen to fire at the Green Zone.
A sandstorm engulfed Baghdad today, prompting Shiite militiamen to fire at the Green Zone.   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
Muqtada al-Sadr said his recent threat of open war was aimed only at U.S.-led foreign forces, not Iraqi troops.
Muqtada al-Sadr said his recent threat of "open war" was aimed only at U.S.-led foreign forces, not Iraqi troops.   (AP Photo)
An Iraqi soldier uses a flashlight to signal cars to turn off their headlights.
An Iraqi soldier uses a flashlight to signal cars to turn off their headlights.   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
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Despite strikes, US military claims success
Associated Press

'Objective dialogue' can resolve crisis: al-Sadr group
AFP

New US embassy ill-prepared for mortars, rockets
Associated Press

 
Iraq • Iran • Sadr City • Baghdad • Mahdi Army • Green Zone • Shiite insurgents • Muqtada al-Sadr

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