ACCORDING TO PR PETRAEUS...

this Shia-on-Shia violence doesn't count as "sectarian violence."

Iraq on alert for Shia festival
Last Updated: Saturday, 19 January 2008, 04:30 GMT
BBC News

Tensions are high after dozens died in clashes on Friday in two southern cities between police and a group thought to be linked to a Shia cult.

Last year, 263 members of the Soldiers of Heaven were killed in clashes with US-backed Iraqi security forces after officials reportedly uncovered a plot to attack the holy city of Najaf and kill its religious leaders during Ashura.

The Soldiers of Heaven followers are said to believe that the former leader, Dia Abdul-Zahra, who was killed in the fighting, was the Mehdi - a 9th Century messiah.

The cult has since been led by Ahmed Hassani Yamani, who reportedly claims to be an ambassador, rather than a descendent, of the Mehdi.

BBC religious affairs correspondent Frances Harrison says it is believed that the Mehdi did not die but went into hiding and will one day return, accompanied by Jesus, to save the world once it has descended into chaos.