Iraqi cleric warns of "open war" if demands are not met
Sunday, 20 Apr 2008 17:19
Iraqi forces are fighting radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's militia in the area
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Radical Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has warned of waging "open war" against the Iraqi government as a crackdown on militias continues.
The Middle Eastern country's government has launched operations in Basra and Sadr city, strongholds of the religious leader, in order to improve law and order in the country by ending the role played by private armies in the country.
Yesterday, Iraqi forces, backed up by US and British artillery fire, took control of a key neighbourhood in the town of Basra. Shia leader Mr al-Sadr, whose Mehdi Army militia is one of the targets of the crackdown, has urged the government "to take the path of peace" and to end violent activities against its citizens.
He claimed his announcement that a full scale confrontation was an option would be his "last warning" while accusing the Iraqi government of working in the US' interests.
The building of a security barrier through Sadr city has also angered the religious leader. Coalition forces have said the wall hopes to prevent militants from firing into the capital's heavily fortified green zone.
Last month Iraqi forces, supported by US and UK artillery fire, began an operation to establish the government's writ in the area. The operations ended when the Shia cleric urged his supporters not to resist government troops.
Terse verbal exchanges between the Iraqi government and the cleric have followed with prime minister Nouri al-Maliki previously threatening to ban the political party of Moqtada al-Sadr if he did not put an end to the role of his militia in the area.
