U.S. confirms detention of radical cleric's aide

Reuters ^ | 4/4/04

[areafiftyone]

BAGHDAD, April 4 (Reuters) - The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq confirmed on Sunday it had detained Mustapha Yacoubi, an aide to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, in connection with the killing of Shi'ite cleric Abdul Majid al-Khoei last year.

Yacoubi's detention stoked anti-American protests by Sadr supporters across the country on Sunday. The largest was near Najaf, where at least 24 people were killed when angry Shi'ite protesters clashed with coalition forces and Iraqi police.

Khoei was hacked to death at a Najaf mosque in April, 2003 by a mob which also killed one of his aides. Senior clerics at the time blamed the killings on a group linked to Sadr. Sadr's group denied the charge.

"Coalition forces arrested him yesterday in connection with Khoei's killing," a senior coalition official told reporters.

He said 25 other warrants had been issued in connection with Khoei's murder. Thirteen suspects were in custody. He said there was no resistance to the arrest.

Khoei was killed by a mob at Imam Ali Shrine, days after returning to Najaf from exile when U.S. forces took control. Supporters said he was helping Americans restore order in the city, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad.

Sadr is a young cleric who has been increasingly vocal in his opposition to the U.S. occupation. He has massive support, especially among poor urban Shi'ites. His supporters staged several protests across Iraq to demand Yacoubi's release.

Near Najaf, gunbattles between Sadr's militias and coalition forces killed at least 20 Iraqis and four Salvadoran soldiers on Sunday.

In Baghdad, U.S. forces clashed with Sadr supporters demanding Yacoubi's release and the reopening of a pro-Sadr newspaper closed by the U.S.-led authorities who say it incited violence. At least one Iraqi was killed.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Rat-boy better be giving some fast answers or his short life is going to be painful.

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[Spruce]

This al-Sadr fellow is bad news. Hopefully he gets the message. Because he's next.

[Just Lori]

His supporters staged several protests across Iraq to demand Yacoubi's release.


I wonder if they enjoy the freedom to protest. Sadam would have wiped them out! So now, they want to kill people. That CAN'T be! Islam is a PEACEful religion. Maybe our Marines can help some of these folks "see the light".

[tessalu]

It is pure foolishness to waste potitical correctness on savages. It is a waste of time, and appeasement will not work, so get serious about this USA or get out, stop playing this demonic game. People are getting killed.

[Dog Gone]

I like it when supporters of a radical riot. I hope we're smart enough to be filming the supporters so that we can go after them at a convenient time and with overwhelming numbers.

[Maine For Bush]

Agreed. We need to take a different approach with these savages.

[b4its2late]

Hang his dead arse from a bridge.

Or better yet, sit him in a wheelchair and blow him out of it with a hellfire. It's the only way to get their attention.

[samtheman]

Sadr is a young cleric who has been increasingly vocal in his opposition to the U.S. occupation. He has massive support, especially among poor urban Shi'ites.

We should tell the Shi'ites, "if we go, we're putting the Sunni's back in power before we leave."

[Ronin]

Sdar is not going to get any better and will probably get a lot worse. We need to wax his assets quickly before he turns into an even bigger problem than he already is.

Anyone with half a brain can figure his game. He wants to be Iraq's Saddam and Khomenei rolled into one popular action package.

If we don't nip this in the bud, he just might pull it off, too.

[montag813]

The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq confirmed on Sunday it had detained Mustapha Yacoubi, an aide to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr

Why on earth are we detaining his AIDE? Would we detain Bin Laden's butt-boy? Time to round up all these Shia Imams and ship em off to Guantanamo. Then when their boys riot, it will be pretty damn clear who to shoot at.

[ThermoNuclearWarrior]

Sadr should be killed right now.

[Just Lori]

It is pure foolishness to waste potitical correctness on savages. It is a waste of time, and appeasement will not work, so get serious about this USA or get out, stop playing this demonic game. People are getting killed.


What did I say to warrant this? I'm on OUR side!

[txhurl]

It's the only way to get their attention.

That is funny.