Violence flares in Sadr City despite reported cease-fire
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Violence flared in Sadr City on Sunday night and Monday morning despite earlier word of a truce between the Iraqi government and radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
U.S. soldiers killed one person after troops came under fire about 5:15 p.m. Sunday, the U.S. military said. About two and a half hours later, a rocket-propelled grenade was launched at U.S. troops in Sadr City. Soldiers shot and killed another person, the military said.
In a third incident, soldiers fired a tank shell after coming under attack, killing one person, the military said.
The violence unfolded after a U.S. military official said Sunday it is premature to conclude that there will be a truce between the Iraqi government and al-Sadr’s movement despite word from both sides that a cease-fire was reached.
Yesterday we did see a dialogue, and it’s important to emphasize that it’s an ongoing dialogue process and we’re waiting to see the details being worked out and implemented today, said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, a spokesman for the U.S.-led multinational forces.
We welcome an end to violence and putting an end to the criminal activity, so we are obviously in support of the government of Iraq as they move forward in a dialogue with elements of the Sadr trend.
Spokesmen for the Iraqi government and al-Sadr’s movement announced the cease-fire agreement on Saturday. The United States is not party to the discussions.
Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi, an al-Sadr spokesman, told CNN the cease-fire would go into effect no later than Sunday morning.
