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08/05/2004:

"WHO violated the cease fire with Sadr?"

There was a Reuters story Sunday that suggested American troops raided Sadr's compound and initiated this. Allawi was talking about including Sadr in the government a couple of weeks ago. I think Sadr was set up, and this situation an excuse for imposing martial law. As for the US, the more chaos the better. Now it seems they are initiating a Shi'ite uprising.

Iraq set to use martial law in terror fight
Independent UK
The interim Iraqi government last night looked increasingly prepared to impose martial law on sections of the country as coalition and Iraqi forces fought fierce battles with armed insurgents loyal to the radical Shia cleric Muqtada Sadr. full article

Al-Sadr Militia Battles U.S., Iraq Troops
Guardian UK
NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - Militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militia battled U.S. and Iraqi troops Thursday in the holy city of Najaf, sparking clashes in other Shiite areas that killed at least 20 Iraqis and a U.S. soldier. An al-Sadr spokesman threatened a ``revolution'' unless American forces agree to a new cease-fire.
full article

Clashes Threaten to Reignite Shi'ite Rising in Iraq
Reuters
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Followers of rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr shot down a U.S. helicopter on Thursday in the Iraqi city of Najaf and two were killed by British troops in Basra in clashes that threatened to reignite a Shi'ite uprising.

The fighting in Najaf was the heaviest in the city since a rebellion by Sadr's followers in April and May. The city is home to the holiest shrines in Shi'ite Islam, and most Iraqi Shi'ites react with outrage when clashes erupt near the sacred sites. full article