The ceasefire that was signed by Iraqi officials and Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr was short lived as clashes between militiamen and US troops erupted in Sadr City just hours after the deal was signed. At least 11 were killed and 20 wounded when militiamen attacked US troops that were finishing the construction of a barrier supposed to isolate members of the Mehdi Army from the southern part of Sadr City. Tens of thousands of gunmen profess allegiance to Moqtada Sadr and his Mehdi army, but it is unclear how much influence he has over them, and over splinter groups (BBC News).
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