Cult clash kills at least 80 in Iraq ... yesterday !! Was it on your news???

[Breeze54]

Cult clash kills at least 80 in Iraq

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080119/WIRE/801190387/1033/NEWS01

Worshippers attacked in southern cities

01/19/08

By ALEXANDRA ZAVIS LOS ANGELES TIMES

BAGHDAD, Iraq --

Members of an obscure messianic cult fought pitched battles Friday with Iraqi security forces in two southern cities, leaving at least 80 people dead, injuring scores and spreading panic among worshipers marking Shiite Islam's holiest holiday.

The clashes, which erupted as worshipers marched, chanted and beat their chests in Basra and Nasiriya, represented the first major test for Iraqi security forces since Britain completed a transfer of responsibility for security in the region in December.

Members of the cult, which calls itself the Supporters of Mahdi, mingled with the crowds in at least three sections of Basra and in Nasiriya, then fired shots at worshipers and the security forces, police and witnesses said.

Police said the cult's leader, Ahmed Hassan Yamani, was killed along with nearly 50 followers in the fighting in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city. About 60 gunmen were arrested and large quantities of weapons were seized from a mosque linked to the group, said the Basra police chief, Maj. Gen. Abdul-Kareem Khalaf.

About 20 other gunmen were killed in Nasiriya, police said. At least 10 policemen in Nasiriya and four in Basra were also among the dead, and at least 90 people were injured in the two cities, they said.

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"The situation in Nasiriya is really concerning and frightening," said Naeem Enad, a college student hunkered down in his home as shots echoed in the distance. "I heard from one of the rapid-response individuals that they (the sect) are not more than 100 people, however their creed is to fight to the death."

Fearful that the bloodshed could spread, authorities imposed indefinite curfews in Basra, Nasiriya and the holy city of Najaf.

More.....

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

1. A messianic cult?

:shrug:

[Breeze54]

2. I know.... wtf? -- "Supporters of Mahdi"

snip-->

Members of the cult, which calls itself the Supporters of Mahdi, mingled with the crowds
in at least three sections of Basra and in Nasiriya, then fired shots at worshipers and
the security forces, police and witnesses said.

Police said the cult's leader, Ahmed Hassan Yamani, was killed along with nearly 50 followers
in the fighting in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city. About 60 gunmen were arrested and large
quantities of weapons were seized from a mosque linked to the group, said the Basra police chief,
Maj. Gen. Abdul-Kareem Khalaf.

The Supporters of Mahdi is named after a ninth-century imam, considered by Shiites to be a saint
and the last of the prophet Muhammad's true heirs. Imam Mahdi went into hiding in 878, and Shiites
believe that he will return, along with Jesus, to lead Muslims in a struggle for justice.

[Breeze54]

3. The death of Suzanne Pleshette got more views than this thread.

That says something, I think. :(

SURGE NOT WORKING, PEOPLE!!!!!!! :grr: