World News 06-08-2004 Holy War Declared Against Brit Troops who: Shi`ite cleric Hojatoleslam Moqtada al-Sadr what: Calls for jihad against US and British coalition force where: Iraq when: Yesterday snippet: "A violent new uprising threatened to undermine the new Iraqi regime`s attempts to rebuild the shattered country yesterday," says The Scotsman, "after Shiite militants declared a `Holy War` on British troops." Even in areas that had been relatively stable, battles raged between firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr`s Mahdi army militia and American and British soldiers, says The Telegraph. "There were indications last night that the interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, was preparing to invoke emergency provisions and declare martial law in the worst troublespots." British troops shot dead two of the Shia rebels in a 15-minute gun battle in a northern suburb of the southern city of Basra, says The Guardian. The BBC says at least seven Iraqis and a US soldier died and a US helicopter was shot down, injuring two. "Following the incident, Mr Sadr`s clerics in Basra told their followers to prepare for a violent campaign of protest." However, the BBC this morning says Moqtada al-Sadr has since called for a truce. [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!