Thursday, March 08, 2007
Al-Sadr speaks out against U.S. and attacks on pilgrims
Politics, Security
(Middle East Online) Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose whereabouts remain a mystery three weeks after US commanders said he had fled to Iran, renewed his demand on Thursday that US forces should leave Iraq. In a message distributed by his office in Najaf to mark Friday's Arbaeen religious holiday, Sadr told his countrymen: "Raise your voices shouting 'No, no to America. No, no to Israel. Use this great occasion to demand the occupier leaves our dear Iraq so that we could live in independence and stability," said the statement, which was stamped with his seal but not signed in ink.
Last month a US military spokesman said that Sadr had left Iraq for Iran ahead of a large-scale Iraqi and US joint security operation, which has since netted several members of his Mahdi Army militia. Sadr office denies this, as does Tehran, but it has been many weeks since Sadr appeared in public or attended prayers at his mosque outside Kufa. Previous statements have expressed support for the Shiite-led government's security forces in the operation, but have demanded that they halt their close cooperation with US troops, whom Sadr calls "the enemy occupier".
Sadr's statement also condemned attacks over the past three days on Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen, which have killed more than 150 people in a series of bombings and shootings.
"May God bless the souls of the marytrs and may those responsible for these despicable crimes burn in hellfire," he said. Nevertheless, the Shiite leader called for unity rather than revenge on Sunnis, telling Iraqis: "I beg God to unite you and distance you from the spectre of sedition and sectarian war."
Last month a US military spokesman said that Sadr had left Iraq for Iran ahead of a large-scale Iraqi and US joint security operation, which has since netted several members of his Mahdi Army militia. Sadr office denies this, as does Tehran, but it has been many weeks since Sadr appeared in public or attended prayers at his mosque outside Kufa. Previous statements have expressed support for the Shiite-led government's security forces in the operation, but have demanded that they halt their close cooperation with US troops, whom Sadr calls "the enemy occupier".
Sadr's statement also condemned attacks over the past three days on Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen, which have killed more than 150 people in a series of bombings and shootings.
"May God bless the souls of the marytrs and may those responsible for these despicable crimes burn in hellfire," he said. Nevertheless, the Shiite leader called for unity rather than revenge on Sunnis, telling Iraqis: "I beg God to unite you and distance you from the spectre of sedition and sectarian war."
Labels: Al Arbayeen, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Shiite pilgrims
