Shi'a Demonstrators Attacked Near Al-Najaf

25 August 2004 -- Reports say unidentified gunmen today killed two people and wounded several others taking part in what appeared to be a peaceful demonstration in support of radical Shi'a cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Al-Kufah, northeast of Al-Najaf.

The marchers chanted slogans in support of al-Sadr and carried pictures of the cleric, as well as of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, the country's top Shi'a leader.

It is not immediately clear who opened fire on the demonstrators.

The al-Sadr supporters were apparently headed to Al-Najaf.

(AFP/AP)