Sadr threatens 'open war'

Published: April 20, 2008 at 2:43 PM

BAGHDAD, April 20 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's spokesman Sunday called on Iraq's political parties to unite against militias, including those led by Moqtada Sadr.

"Iraq cannot be the new Somalia," warned spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh. "It is a clear message ... we cannot accept the presence of armed groups."

CNN reported that Dabbagh's comments came after Sadr's radical Shiite group issued an ultimatum demanding Maliki's government immediately end attacks on Shiite militias or "all options are open to us."

Sadr described his statement as a "final warning," The Washington Post reported.

Last summer, as the U.S. military began its troop surge in Iraq, Sadr declared a cease-fire that is believed to have been responsible for much of the drop in violence. Thousands of people died in two earlier uprisings by the cleric's militia, known as the Mehdi Army.

After the government began its attempt to disarm the Mehdi Army last month in Basra, Sadr urged his supporters to refrain from violence. He suggested that Maliki wanted to weaken the Sadrists before the election.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Real Alice's 'Looking Glass' to be sold (8 min)
Report: N.D. quarterback got in bar fight (22 min)
Deer stunned by Toronto police (28 min)
Grain futures mixed Tuesday (47 min)
Poll: Women ignoring new mammogram advice (52 min)
Toyota Tundra pickup trucks recalled (54 min)
Price of crude oil slides slightly
fark
Not news: Babysitter goes drunk driving. News: He had a seven year with him. FARK: The kid was on...
Celebrated trial lawyer died driving unsafe and uncrashworthy SUV on negligently designed and maintained...
Even the judge agrees there's nothing wrong with a little tongue
That Kentucky census worker undressed himself, wrote "fed" on his chest, bound himself in duct tape...
Drew Curtis on possible partnerships between Fark and other media outlets: "I can't go into any...
NYT, last year: "Check out these e-mails hacked from a Palin campaign staffer." Last week: "ClimateGate?...