Leaflets handed out on the streets of Baghdad yesterday suggested growing co-operation between Sunni and Shia guerrillas amid signs that Iraqis are beginning to unite against a common American foe. The handouts carried a "joint statement" by the Mahdi militia, loyal to the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, and the "Army of Fallujah", fighting US forces in the besieged Sunni city 30 miles west of Baghdad. They were distributed in the capital's al-Ala'am suburb and declared six districts of Baghdad a "military area". People living locally were warned not to approach US forces or drive their cars. The road linking the capital with the holy city of Najaf, where Sadr is believed to be hiding, runs through this zone. The statement gave warning that mujahideen guerrillas would lay ambushes for the "despicable occupying forces" on this highway. "We want our patient people to stay away from the occupying forces and not to drive civilian cars on this road for their safety," said the leaflet. "God will grant victory to those who resist the occupation."
Guerrillas operating in the area where the handouts were distributed are largely Sunni. They appear to be preparing to help Sadr by obstructing the route that US forces would take in an attack on his Najaf stronghold. About 20 Iraqis who received the leaflets as they queued at a bakery murmured support for the gunmen. "God help them," said one man. "The Americans deserve it. We gained nothing from them."
| We've still got Sammy. Maybe you'd like him back? |
General Ricardo Sanchez, commander of the US-led coalition forces in Iraq, said co-operation between Shia and Sunni guerrillas was taking place at a "tactical level." "Calls for unity between Shia forces and Sunni forces are not unexpected," he said. "It's clearly an attempt to take advantage of the situation." |