mahdi army

Sadr Warns of ‘Open War’

Staff / Truthdig Apr 20, 2008 Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr issued a strong warning to the Iraqi government Saturday, claiming that he and his supporters will "declare a war until liberation" if a crackdown against his Mahdi Army continues. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fighting Rages for Fifth Day in Iraq Offensive

Staff / Truthdig Mar 30, 2008 American and British troops joined forces with Iraqi government troops battling the Mahdi Army in Basra and Sadr City on Saturday as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's offensive, launched Tuesday, passed the fifth day with little sign of reprieve and a great deal riding on its outcome. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

British Troops Begin Basra Pullout

Staff / Truthdig Aug 27, 2007 About 60 Britons withdrew from an Iraqi police base in Basra this weekend, marking the first step in British troops' exodus from the city. The BBC reports that the troops' overnight departure caused some confusion as to who assumed control of the base, and British and Iraqi officials are denying reports that militant members of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army took over the outpost following the British pullout. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Baghdad Raid Kills 32, Sparks Protests

Staff / Truthdig Aug 9, 2007 An overnight attack carried out by American and Iraqi forces against an alleged militant cell killed 32 people in Sadr City, US military sources reported Wednesday The raid targeted members of the Mahdi Army militia believed to be smuggling weapons and working in tandem with Iranian militants against U forces, but other sources claimed that women and children numbered among the dead. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraqi Death Tally Triples Official Reports

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2006 The violence unleashed after last week's bombing of a Shiite Muslim shrine claimed 1,300 Iraqi lives, triple the number reported by the US military Outside of major U offensives, these have been the deadliest few days in the last three years in Iraq UPDATE: The violence continues with multiple attacks claiming 68 lives on Tuesday. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )