Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 8, 2008

Iraq's Sadr Calls off Mass Protest March; Baghdad Violence Continues
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1BCF97C:A6F02AD83191E16001A212CF92A7393D7F0EB4B66EA3A89D& At least 22 Iraqis
killed in Sadr City and 11 US soldiers killed across Iraq since Sunday



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Parents sit by their son, Sattar Joumaa, who was injured during
clashes in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City, Baghdad, 08 Apr
2008Radical Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called off a
planned protest Wednesday in Baghdad.

Reuters quotes a statement from Sadr's office Tuesday as saying he
fears his supporters will be attacked. He earlier had called the march
to mark Wednesday's fifth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad to U.S.
forces.

Sadr aides also say Iraqi security forces are blocking Sadr supporters
from reaching the capital. There was no immediate confirmation of the
claim.

Iraqi government forces and U.S. troops continue to battle Shi'ite
militias in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. At least 22 people have
been killed there since fighting broke out Sunday.

Eleven U.S. soldiers have been killed across Iraq since Sunday.

Fighting has intensified since Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
ordered a crackdown on Shi'ite militias last month.

Mr. Maliki said Monday that militants loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr must
disband if they want to take part in upcoming elections.

An aide to Sadr said the cleric will disband the Mahdi Army if senior
Shi'ite religious leaders call for it.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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