In Iraq, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has warned he will soon declare an open war unless the US-backed Iraqi government halts its crackdown on his supporters.
Sadr’s aide, Nassar Al-Rubai, read part of the cleric’s message.

Nassar Al-Rubai: “I’m giving the last warning and the last word to the Iraqi government: either it comes to its senses and takes the path of peace, or it will be seen as the same as the previous government. If they don’t come to their senses and curb the infiltrated militias, then we will declare an open war until liberation.”

Major General Rick Lynch, the commander of US forces in central Iraq, responded by threatening to strike back if Sadr launches a new uprising. The US has already stepped up its attacks on members of Sadr’s Mahdi Army in Baghdad and Basra. US helicopter gunships and Predator drones have been repeatedly firing missiles into Sadr City. At least 280 Iraqis have died in Sadr City over the past month. The US military is also building a twelve-foot-high wall around most of Sadr City.