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08/26/2004:

"Maximum factionalism is in the US long-term interest"

Supporters of Sistani Fired Upon, 20 Dead: Witness
Reuters
Filed at 4:40 a.m. ET
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Supporters of Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani were fired upon in the town of Kufa on Thursday and 20 people were killed, a Reuters photographer said from the scene.

The photographer said he had seen 20 bodies under blankets. It was unclear who fired on the supporters, who had been marching to Najaf, carrying pictures of Sistani.

Iraqi Sadr Supporters Attacked Near Najaf-Witnesses Reuters
Filed at 4:15 a.m. ET
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Supporters of rebel Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr were fired on as they marched from the town of Kufa to the city of Najaf on Thursday and several were wounded, witnesses at the scene said.

Wounded people lay on the road and ambulances ferried them away. Sadr has called on his supporters to march on Najaf on Thursday.

It was not clear who launched the attack. Earlier, mortars hit a mosque in Kufa where hundreds of Sadr supporters had gathered, killing at least 25 and wounding 60.