Informant38

Bomb at Turkish Embassy in Baghdad Kills Bystander
A car bomb exploded outside the Turkish Embassy here on Tuesday, killing the bomber and one bystander, witnesses said, wounding several people and sending another message to those who would assist the United States-led occupation.
A plan by the Turkish government to contribute 10,000 troops to the coalition has stirred widespread anger among Iraqis, who harbor deep suspicions that the Turks will capitalize on the opportunity to take control of the Kurdish regions of northern Iraq. An official with the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey presumed the bombing came in retaliation for the plan to contribute troops but that the attack would not change the plan.
�
In Karbala, a Shiite holy city south of Baghdad, a battle raged over Monday night between rival Shiite Muslim militias, one loyal to a young cleric who is increasingly defiant of the United States and critical of the occupation. At least one person was killed.
�
The skirmish between the Shiite groups in Karbala was the latest in a series of "troubling events involving Moktada al-Sadr", 30, a radical, anti-American Shiite cleric. Last week, fighters loyal to Mr. Sadr killed two American soldiers in Baghdad. Mr. Sadr subsequently proclaimed the establishment of his own government as a rival to the Iraqi Governing Council appointed by American officials.
On Monday night, his "quest for greater influence" put him into direct conflict with other Shiites. Fighting broke out after his followers tried to take over two mosques, provoking gun battles with the "Iraqi police and paramilitary guards" who patrol the shrines, spokesmen for the American military and "residents in Karbala" said.
�NYTimes(GoogleNews) 10.15.03
"Ω"