Sadr urges attacks on U.S. troops over Gaza

[unhappycamper]

Sadr urges attacks on U.S. troops over Gaza
By Sameer N. Yacoub - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 7, 2009 18:11:59 EST

BAGHDAD — Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday urged reprisals against American forces in Iraq to protest Israel’s Gaza offensive, as Arab anger grows over civilian deaths in the Palestinian territory.

The strongly worded statement signaled a threat by al-Sadr’s militia fighters to renew violence against American troops after months of relative calm.

It was unclear, however, just how much influence the once-powerful Shiite leader — who is believed to be in Iran — still has. His fighters have been hit hard in U.S.-Iraqi military operations over the past year.

The U.S. State Department dismissed al-Sadr’s calls, describing them as “outrageous.”

“Any call for attacks against Americans is outrageous and, frankly, not worthy of much more comment,” deputy State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters. “Outside calls to attack Americans for what’s going on in the region are outrageous.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_sadr_iraq_010709/%2e