Source:
APBAGHDAD - Iraqi government forces and Shiite militia fighters clashed anew Tuesday despite a government ultimatum to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to either disband his Mahdi Army or give up politics.
Meanwhile, security forces were reported to be blocking al-Sadr's supporters from traveling to Baghdad from outlying areas to attend an anti-U.S. rally scheduled for Wednesday.
Al-Sadr called for the protest to mark the fifth anniversary of the capture of Baghdad by U.S. troops nearly a month after the war started, but many observers see it as a show of force in his confrontation with the government.
The fighting comes as Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, prepared to testify later Tuesday on the war.
Read more:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq
CNN reporting al Sadr has called off the demonstations Wed due to fear of the gov't cracking down and attacking demonstators.
Aides: Muqtada al-Sadr calls off rallyBy ABDUL-HUSSEIN AL-OBEIDI, Associated Press Writer
34 minutes ago
NAJAF, Iraq - Aides to Muqtada al-Sadr say the anti-American Shiite cleric is calling off a mass rally in Baghdad Wednesday.
Iraqi security forces are blocking al-Sadr's followers from traveling to the capital from the southern Shiite heartland where he enjoys wide support.
Two aides in al-Sadr's office in the holy city of Najaf told The Associated Press that the rally had been canceled. They spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement.
more:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_sadr_1