Unmiss chief Hilde Johnson said last month that the government was expected soon to launch an offensive against fighters loyal to Mr Yau Yau in Jonglei.

BBC: Indian Unmiss solider in Jonglei

The US wisely capitalized on tribal leaders' disaffection with al-Qaida barbarism and worked with them to launch an offensive against al-Qaida forces and to bring the Sunni tribes into the political processes in Iraq.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Where America and Iraq converge

Al-Sadr's threat was issued the same day that a man claiming to be the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq urged his fighters to launch an offensive against U.S. forces in the next few weeks.

CNN: PM vows not to let Iraq become 'the new Somalia'