Iraqi Shi'ite Politicians Condemn U.S. Raid
March 27, 2006 -- Iraq's ruling Shi'ite alliance has accused the U.S. military of cold-blooded killings of unarmed people on March 26 at a Shi'ite shrine in Baghdad.
The United Iraqi Alliance called on U.S. forces to return control of the country to the Iraqi government.
It's still not clear exactly what happened at or near the shrine.
The U.S. military says Iraqi forces backed by U.S. advisers killed 16 insurgents in an operation near the shrine. But followers of radical Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr say the U.S. military killed 20 Shi'a in an unprovoked attack.
Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jabr today described the killing as "unjustified." Baghdad provincial Governor Husayn al-Tahan said he has suspended cooperation with U.S. forces until an independent investigation can be carried out.
(compiled from agency reports)
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