At least 300 dead in the battle of Najaf
Najaf (AsiaNews/Agencies) – At least 300 Sunni and Shiite militants belonging to a new militia died near the holy city of Najaf in a joint operation by Iraqi forces and the US air force, local political and military sources report. The battle, which began yesterday morning, went on till dawn today.
An Iraqi army source said US forces took control of the operation on Sunday and ordered continued bombings. Two Americans were killed when their attack helicopter went down. Three Iraqi soldiers and five policemen were killed. Hundreds were wounded on both sides.
Details about the operation remain murky. According to local sources, it was a preventive attack by Iraqi forces after a plot was uncovered to kill some Shia clerics in Najaf where Ali, the first imam in Shia Islam is buried.
The rebels, who call themselves ‘Soldiers of Heaven’, apparently included Sunnis and Shiites as well as foreigners. About 25 were captured, including a Sudanese national. The group is led by Imam Ahmed ibn al-Hassani who was present during the attack but remains at large.
The governor of Najaf province said a group of terrorists had gathered in Zarqa near Kufa to attack some important Shia clerics in the Holy City.
For days security forces have been on maximum alert in the south to prevent attacks during the Shia celebration of Ashura, which commemorates the death of Hussein, son of Ali, whom Shiites consider the true successor to Muhammad.
The event was banned under Saddam Hussein’s regime and in the last few years it has been the scene of bloody attacks. Its climax is scheduled for tomorrow.
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14/09/2004
