Sadr threatens to end truce

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-09-2008 09:38

Despite the ceasefire called by Iraq's Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, followers have clashed with Iraqi government troops and US forces in Baghdad and in southern Iraq.

Despite the ceasefire called by Iraq's Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, followers have clashed with Iraqi  government troops and US forces in Baghdad and in  southern Iraq. (CCTV.com)

Al-Sadr has threatened to end a truce he imposed on his Mehdi Army militia.

Fierce clashes erupted between followers of Moqtada al-Sadr and US forces in the sprawling Shi'ite slum of Sadr city on Tuesday.

American and Iraqi troops clashed with gunmen in eastern Baghdad for a third day.

The US military said a total of four missiles were fired at gunmen and mortar crews in Sadr City in three separate air strikes.

An official said 10 people have been killed and 61 wounded.

Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has threatened to end a truce he imposed on his militia last year.

His warning came a day after Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki threatened to bar al-Sadr's movement from political life if the anti-American cleric did not disband his militia.

The cleric also announced he will postpone a massive anti-US march planned in Baghdad on Wednesday fearing his followers will be attacked.

Before fighting erupted two weeks ago, the Mehdi Army ceasefire had been widely credited with helping reduce violence across Iraq.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei