Aides say Sadr still in Iraq

WASHINGTON — Early today, aides to anti-American Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr denied reports that he had left Iraq and was thought to be in Tehran, where he has relatives.

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tuesday that Sadr had left his Baghdad stronghold weeks ago but probably would return. He said fractures in Sadr's political and militia operations were probably to blame for the cleric's departure.

Some Washington officials said Sadr's departure might have been prompted by President Bush's plan to add 21,500 troops to more than 135,000 already in Iraq. He was thought to have left before a security crackdown began in Baghdad.

Four Sadr aides said today that the cleric was in Iraq, with some saying he was in the city of Najaf but had reduced his public appearances for "security reasons."

They did not elaborate.

Read the rest at the LA Times

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