BAGHDAD, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Shiite radical cleric Moqtada Sadr ordered his gunmen to pull out Monday from the Shiite religious centers of Najaf and Karbala in central Iraq.
A source close to the young cleric said the move coincided with annual religious ceremonies in which millions of Shiite worshippers are expected to take part.
It also came hours after British forces arrested two leading commanders of Sadr's forces in Basra.
Security observers believe the move is aimed at foiling possible terrorist attacks during the ceremonies in the two cities, including possible disguise of terrorists as members of the Sadr's group.
The British command in Basra said British forces arrested the commander of the Sadr's forces in the area Ahmed Fartoussi and his aide Sayyed Sajad on suspicion of organizing attacks in which nine British soldiers were killed in the past two months.
