Official Iraqi spokesmen have said about the clashes with the Mahdi Army that Basra and Baghdad are controlled by security forces and that military operations will continue until the "last of the criminals" are eliminated.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki called on the Mahdi Army to lay down its arms and hand over wanted men.
In response, Al-Sadr demanded that Al-Maliki leave Basra, stop the firing, and permit the tribal sheikhs and clerics to reach a solution to the crisis. He also called on his men to expand the quiet protest and to distribute Korans and olive branches at police stations.
However, according to Sadrist reports, no instructions have been issued to lay down arms, and Al-Sadr has called on his men to go out today, March 27, to demonstrate to demand Al-Maliki's resignation.
Source: Elaph.net; Aswat Al-Iraq, Iraq, March 27, 2008; Al-Mada, Baghdad; Al-Zaman, London, March 26, 2008
