Thirty people were killed and many were injured when the Iraqi army attacked centers of radical Shia cleric, Mahmud al-Hasani al Sarkhi in Karbala on Wednesday, according to initial findings of security sources.
Al-Sarkhi's supporters put up resistance against the raid at the center where he lectures, resulting in the detention of more than 100 supporters, said security sources.
According to witnesses, the Iraqi army raided al-Sarkhi's lecture center using heavy weapons and howitzers in order to take him into custody. Al-Sarkhi escaped without injury and was taken to safety in the conflict between his supporters and the army.
The army launched an air attack against al-Sarkhi's centers in Karbala and Diwaniyah, inflicting substantial damage.
Iraqi officials have not yet made a statement on the attacks.
Mahmud al-Hasani al-Sarkhi is a radical Shia cleric in Iraq. In June 2006, his followers attacked the Iranian consulate in Basra and tore down its flag in protest over criticism of their leader broadcast on Iranian television.
He called for an independent inquiry into the Battle of Najaf in 2007, which many believed was a massacre by Iraqi security forces.
In April 2012, his followers were involved in clashes with supporters of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
On July 3, 2014 Iraqi police and armed forces attempted to arrest al-Sharkhi in Karbala, leading to clashes between his supporters and government forces that killed 45 people.
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