Al-Sadr ceasefire 'will help US target al-Qaida'
US troops have repeatedly clashed with the Mahdi army since the 2003 invasion
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Saturday, 01, Sep 2007 10:47
The US army in Iraq says the six-month ceasefire ordered by radical Shia Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr will help coalition forces target al-Qaida militants.
Mr al-Sadr's Jaysh al-Mahdi – commonly known as the Madhi army – has clashed with occupying troops in Iraq since the American-led invasion of 2003.
But following sectarian violence in which at least 50 Shia Muslim pilgrims died in Karbala at the end of last month, he issued a statement ordering militia to forgo violence for at least half a year.
And the US has welcomed this development as "encouraging" and an "important step" to helping Iraqi authorities make progress along political and economic avenues.
"If implemented, [Mr] al-Sadr's order holds the prospect of allowing coalition and Iraqi security forces to intensify their focus on al-Qaida-Iraq and on protecting the Iraqi population, as well as on helping Iraq rebuild its damaged infrastructure and improve basic services, all without distraction from Jaysh al-Mahdi attacks," a spokesperson elaborated.
"Muqtada al-Sadr's declaration holds the potential to reduce criminal activity and help reunite Iraqis separated by ethno-sectarian violence and fear.
"We look forward to confirming the reduction of violence that will result if those involved fulfil their commitment to following [Mr] al-Sadr's direction."