Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 22, 2008 4:22:33 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

UK May Seek Iran's Help on Iraqi Captives

Posted Jun 1, 07 8:37 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Britain may ask Iran for help in finding the five British hostages kidnapped in Iraq. Senior Iraqi officials think a rogue faction of the Mahdi Army—possibly under the influence of Iranian intelligence —is responsible for the kidnappings. British sources tell the Guardian they believe the kidnapping was not ordered by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army has splintered in recent months, and some cells are known to have links with Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The Iranians, a British official said, "want to show the US that they have influence over the Mahdi army, and that the US must come to them for help." Meanwhile, the push into Sadr City to find the hostages continues.

Source Guardian (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Militia Power Wanes as Iraqi Government Gains

    Jul 27, 08 5:38 AM CDT
    Militia Power Wanes as Iraqi Government Gains The sway of a key Iraqi militia has declined significantly and it's losing control of its Baghdad strongholds to the government, the New York Times reports. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army once controlled politics and police in areas throughout the city, but supporters became disenchanted by its violence and extortion as American and Iraqi forces hammered the group.
    More »

  • Sadr Cultivates Respect, Image to Reflect Power

    May 27, 08 1:49 PM CDT
    Sadr Cultivates Respect, Image to Reflect Power Muqtada al-Sadr aims to shed his reputation as a dim-witted thug and become a respected Iraqi cleric like his father, the Washington Post reports, and has even spent the past year studying in Iran. Sadr, then nicknamed "Muqtada Atari" for his love of video games, was 25 when the 1999 assassination of his father left him head of Iraq's largest Shiite opposition group. More »

  • Green Zone Strike Kills 2 in Sandstorm

    Apr 27, 08 6:35 PM CDT
    Green Zone Strike Kills 2 in Sandstorm 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. More »

  • Death of Sadr Aide Sparks Battles in Baghdad

    Apr 11, 08 8:02 PM CDT
    Death of Sadr Aide Sparks Battles in Baghdad 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 »

  • Sadr Threatens to End Truce

    Apr 8, 08 3:02 PM CDT
    Sadr Threatens to End Truce Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr today threatened to end the cease-fire he imposed last year on his Mahdi militia, CNN reports, and called off a massive protest set for tomorrow, the fifth anniversary of the end of Saddam Hussein’s rule. Hundreds had converged on Baghdad—despite orders to keep young men out—before Sadr called off the event. More »

Iraqi soldiers search a car at a checkpoint on a major road in the Sadr City neighborhood in Baghdad on Wednesday May 30 2007. Iraqi and U.S. forces conducted raids in the neighborhood in the early morning,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (
1
 of 5)

Tags

Iraq • Iran • Great Britain • kidnapping • Moqtada al-Sadr • Mahdi Army • Sadr City • Revolutionary Guards


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Home Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »