Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr speaks to supporters at mosque in Kufa, 2007. Sadr has ordered his Mahdi Army militia to lay down its arms if a security pact between Baghdad and Washington provides for a withdrawal from Iraq. (AFP/File/Qassem Zein) From Yahoo News/AP:
BAGHDAD - Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered most of his militiamen to disarm but said Friday he will maintain elite fighting units to resist the Americans if a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops is not established.
Fighters in the Sunni-led insurgency, meanwhile, set off a car bomb at a market in the northern city of Tal Afar, killing 21 people and wounding dozens, Iraqi police said. It was the latest in a series of deadly attacks seeking to chip away at recent security gains.
Al-Sadr's statement — read to worshippers during Friday prayers in Baghdad's former militia stronghold of Sadr City — was in line with details revealed earlier this week and appeared to be an extension of plans he announced in June aimed at asserting more control over the militia.
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More News On Muqtada al-Sadr
Al-Sadr Orders Militia To Disarm -- CBS News
Sadr to disarm if U.S. withdraws on timetable -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Sadr to split Iraq militia into 2 groups -- International Herald Tribune
Iraqi Cleric Al-Sadr Vows Cease-Fire in Exchange for U.S. Withdrawal Timetable -- FOX News
Anti-U.S. Cleric to Lay Down Weapons -- ABC News
A US Withdrawal Deal with Sadr? -- Time Magazine
Troops from the 1st Iraqi Army Division celebrate while passing through Jalulah. Photo by Bill Murray
Marine to stand trial over detainee killing in Iraq -- AFP
Marine ordered to stand trial in Fallujah killings -- International Herald Tribune
U.S. agrees to set withdrawal date with Iraq -- Yahoo News/McClatchy
Iraq, US Near Troop Withdrawal Deal -- Time Magazine
Iraq's stabilization is an overriding aim of Turkey -- Daily Star (Lebanon)
In Iraq, Regional Politics Heats Up -- Washington Post
Fault lines run deep over Kirkuk's future in Iraq -- Reuters
Time for Iraq to Pay the Bill -- New York Times
As oil revenue piles up, Iraq must begin pulling its weight and fund reconstruction -- Houston Chronicle
Iraq resumes oil exploration after long halt -- International Herald Tribune
Iraq resumes oil exploration after 20-year break -- Yahoo News/AFP
Iraq allocates $10 billion reconstruction plan for Shiite slum -- Aswat Aliraq
Iraq bombing kills 21 -- CNN
Top Al-Qaeda suspect seized
Sadr to split Iraq militia into 2 groups -- International Herald Tribune
Iraqi Cleric Al-Sadr Vows Cease-Fire in Exchange for U.S. Withdrawal Timetable -- FOX News
Anti-U.S. Cleric to Lay Down Weapons -- ABC News
A US Withdrawal Deal with Sadr? -- Time Magazine
Troops from the 1st Iraqi Army Division celebrate while passing through Jalulah. Photo by Bill MurrayMore News On Iraq
Marine to stand trial over detainee killing in Iraq -- AFP
Marine ordered to stand trial in Fallujah killings -- International Herald Tribune
U.S. agrees to set withdrawal date with Iraq -- Yahoo News/McClatchy
Iraq, US Near Troop Withdrawal Deal -- Time Magazine
Iraq's stabilization is an overriding aim of Turkey -- Daily Star (Lebanon)
In Iraq, Regional Politics Heats Up -- Washington Post
Fault lines run deep over Kirkuk's future in Iraq -- Reuters
Time for Iraq to Pay the Bill -- New York Times
As oil revenue piles up, Iraq must begin pulling its weight and fund reconstruction -- Houston Chronicle
Iraq resumes oil exploration after long halt -- International Herald Tribune
Iraq resumes oil exploration after 20-year break -- Yahoo News/AFP
Iraq allocates $10 billion reconstruction plan for Shiite slum -- Aswat Aliraq
Iraq bombing kills 21 -- CNN
Top Al-Qaeda suspect seized
More News On Iraq
Marine to stand trial over detainee killing in Iraq -- AFP
Marine ordered to stand trial in Fallujah killings -- International Herald Tribune
U.S. agrees to set withdrawal date with Iraq -- Yahoo News/McClatchy
Iraq, US Near Troop Withdrawal Deal -- Time Magazine
Iraq's stabilization is an overriding aim of Turkey -- Daily Star (Lebanon)
In Iraq, Regional Politics Heats Up -- Washington Post
Fault lines run deep over Kirkuk's future in Iraq -- Reuters
Time for Iraq to Pay the Bill -- New York Times
As oil revenue piles up, Iraq must begin pulling its weight and fund reconstruction -- Houston Chronicle
Iraq resumes oil exploration after long halt -- International Herald Tribune
Iraq resumes oil exploration after 20-year break -- Yahoo News/AFP
Iraq allocates $10 billion reconstruction plan for Shiite slum -- Aswat Aliraq
Iraq bombing kills 21 -- CNN
Top Al-Qaeda suspect seized in Iraq -- Yahoo News/AFP
Suicide car bombing wounds 8 cops in Mosul -- Aswat Aliraq
U.S. army nab 25 suspects including al-Qaeda commander -- Aswat Aliraq
Iranian EFPs Disappear -- Strategy Page
On the offensive in northern Diyala -- Long War Journal
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,134 -- AP