SADR MILITIA SEIZES PARTS OF IRAQ TOWN

More indications Iraq is well on the way to an all out CIVIL WAR.

Sadr militia seizes parts of S.Iraq town-police
25 Mar 2008 12:26:20 GMT 25 Mar 2008 12:26:20 GMTSource: Reuters

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25698078.htm

(KUT, Iraq, March 25 (Reuters) - Armed followers of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr seized control of five districts in the southern Iraqi town of Kut on Tuesday, police sources said.

The sources said Sadr's Mehdi Army militia were in control of the Jihad, Shuhada, Zahara, Sharqiya and Hawi districts of the city, which has 18 districts in total.

A Reuters witness in the city said he could hear shooting and explosions. U.S. warplanes were circling overhead.

"We ask U.S. forces to help us with aircraft and vehicles. The militants have spread out through Kut," said police Captain Majid al-Imara. He said 8-10 policemen had been wounded in clashes in the town of Aziziya north of Kut.

Iraq's security forces have repeatedly clashed with Sadr's followers in Kut over the past two weeks.