By Country / Iraq
U.S. Officials Say Al- Sadr Is In Iran
February 14, 2007
Muqtada al-Sadr (file photo) (AFP)
Senior U.S. military officials are quoted by U.S. news organizations as saying al-Sadr, leader of the Imam al-Mahdi Army militia, left Baghdad two or three weeks ago and fled to Tehran, where he has family.
Al-Sadr allegedly feared he could be targeted by U.S.-led coalition forces amid the current security crackdown under way in Baghdad, according to the reports.
However, two aides to al-Sadr denied the reports. AFP quotes Nassar al-Rubaie as saying al-Sadr is still in Iraq, without saying where, while another aide said he remains in the Shi'ite holy city of Al-Najaf.
The reports about al-Sadr's alleged departure followed an announcement that Iraq is closing its borders with Iran and Syria for 72 hours as part of the operation to halt violence.
(compiled from agency reports)