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Hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi
troops surrounded the turbulent Iraqi city of Fallujah on Monday
following last Wednesday's gruesome attack in which an anti-American
mob ambushed a group of contractors, beating and dragging four bodies
through the streets.
 Fallujah
is located inside the area known as Iraq's Sunni Triangle, which
has been the focal point of Iraqi resistance to the U.S. occupation.
Although they make up only about 35 percent of Iraq's population
of 24 million, Sunni Arabs played a dominant role in the reign
of Saddam Hussein, a fellow Sunni from the region.
Nearly two-thirds of insurgent attacks have taken place in the
triangle, where former Saddam cronies still hold power and would
like to see the United States fail.
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However, there were also weekend clashes with the country's Shiite
majority, which has mostly avoided violence with coalition forces.
In a coordinated uprising, tens of thousands of men loyal to
Muqtada al-Sadr, a 31-year-old Shiite cleric, rose up against
the American-led occupation in Baghdad, the holy city of Najaf
and at least two other cities in southern Iraq.
At least seven American soldiers were killed in the Baghdad slum,
Sadr City, one of the worst single losses for the American forces
in any firefight since the capital was captured a year ago. At
least 30 Iraqis were killed and more than 110 wounded in the fighting.
 Sadr
City is named after Sadr's father, Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr,
who was murdered along with two elder sons during the rule of
ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, reportedly for defying the
dictator.
Until this weekend, Sadr was eclipsed by Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani,
the 73-year-old cleric who demanded direct elections sooner rather
than later and emerged as the most influential Shiite leader.
The two do not talk.
Sadr, considered too young and radical by many Shiite elders,
is several ranks and many years away from attaining the title
of ayatollah, which would mean his rulings would carry the weight
of religious law.
But his message appears to be gaining popularity through his savvy
use of public appearances and lengthy speeches. He has also built
up a well-equipped private militia.
The young Sadr's image is now a familiar sight on posters held
aloft by chanting supporters alongside the more conventional ones
of his father and other senior clerics, as well as the founding
fathers of Shiite Islam.
 Last
week, American authorities shut down Sadr's newspaper, Al Hawza.
Although the paper did not print calls for attacks, U.S. officials
said false reporting, including articles that blamed Americans
for recent deadly explosions, could touch off violence.
On Sunday, Sadr called for his followers to "terrorize your
enemy."
"There is no use for demonstrations, as your enemy loves
to terrify and suppress opinions, and despises peoples,"
he said in a statement.
"I ask you not to resort to demonstrations because they have
become a losing card and we should seek other ways," he said.
"Terrorize your enemy, as we cannot remain silent over its
violations."
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Paul Bremer, the top U.S. administrator in Iraq, declared Sadr
an "outlaw" who threatens Iraq's security.
"Effectively he is attempting to establish his authority
in the place of the legitimate authority. We will not tolerate
this," Bremer told a team meeting convened to discuss how
to respond to Sadr.
 An
Iraqi judge issued an arrest warrant for Sadr Monday in connection
with the killing of another cleric last year at a Najaf mosque.
Meanwhile, President Bush said Monday he remains committed to
the June 30 deadline for transferring power to the Iraqis.
"The deadline remains firm," the president told reporters.
Mr. Bush also voiced criticisms of Sadr and his followers.
"This is one person that is deciding that rather than allowing
democracy to flourish, he's going to exercise force," the
president said. "We just can't let it stand."
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Online NewsHour
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