Kerbala clashes 'planned'

2007-08-29 17:35

Baghdad - The Iraqi national security advisor said on Wednesday there was "a predetermined conspiracy to get control over the two Shi'ite shrines" in Kerbala "to create a major national crisis".

Mowaffak al-Rubaie accused people linked to the executed former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein of being involved in the recent clashes between militants, believed to belong to the Mahdi Army loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, and Iraqi forces.

"There is currently no violence in the city and our forces are chasing the outlaws who tried to ruin the Shi'ite festival," al-Rubaie said.

"We don't target a certain group as there are different sides that took part in these acts," he added.

Fighting broke out ahead of the visit of hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite pilgrims travelling to Kerbala from other parts of Iraq to commemorate the iconic Shi'ite Imam al-Mahdi on Tuesday. The fighting broke out again on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iraqi military forces had detained Kerbala local council member Hamed Kenoush, who is close to al-Sadr, Iraqi security sources said. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA