CNN.com - Coalition plans to arrest Shiite cleric - Apr 5, 2004 : "Coalition forces handed over Mustafa al-Yaqoubi, a deputy of al-Sadr, to Iraqi police Monday after arresting him Saturday on a warrant from an Iraqi judge, coalition officials said.
Al-Yaqoubi, al-Sadr and 23 others are charged with complicity in the death of rival Shiite cleric Abdul Majeed al-Khoei by a mob of al-Sadr supporters in Najaf a year ago. Thirteen, including al-Yaqoubi, are in custody, officials said.
Monday, coalition forces raided and took control of al-Sadr's office in Baghdad's al-Shaala neighborhood, bringing in ground forces and Apache helicopters, witnesses said. Several people were wounded in the raid, sources said.
In Baghdad late Monday, soldiers from the Army's 1st Armored Division engaged in a firefight with armed Iraqis, U.S. officials said. There was no word on casualties.
Meanwhile Monday, President Bush reaffirmed the U.S. plan to turn over sovereignty to an Iraqi government June 30, saying "the date remains firm.">>
Coalition civilian administrator L. Paul Bremer accused al-Sadr on Monday of trying to usurp 'the legitimate authority of the Iraqi government and the coalition.'
Currently it is believed that al-Sadr has about 600 hardcore followers and as many as 3,000 militia members at his command.
In recent weeks, al-Sadr has incited violence against the United States and called the attacks of September 11, 2001, a gift from God."
Al-Yaqoubi, al-Sadr and 23 others are charged with complicity in the death of rival Shiite cleric Abdul Majeed al-Khoei by a mob of al-Sadr supporters in Najaf a year ago. Thirteen, including al-Yaqoubi, are in custody, officials said.
Monday, coalition forces raided and took control of al-Sadr's office in Baghdad's al-Shaala neighborhood, bringing in ground forces and Apache helicopters, witnesses said. Several people were wounded in the raid, sources said.
In Baghdad late Monday, soldiers from the Army's 1st Armored Division engaged in a firefight with armed Iraqis, U.S. officials said. There was no word on casualties.
Meanwhile Monday, President Bush reaffirmed the U.S. plan to turn over sovereignty to an Iraqi government June 30, saying "the date remains firm.">>
Coalition civilian administrator L. Paul Bremer accused al-Sadr on Monday of trying to usurp 'the legitimate authority of the Iraqi government and the coalition.'
Currently it is believed that al-Sadr has about 600 hardcore followers and as many as 3,000 militia members at his command.
In recent weeks, al-Sadr has incited violence against the United States and called the attacks of September 11, 2001, a gift from God."
Comments