Gunbattles erupt in Najaf as U.S. forces battle cleric's militia
Najaf (AsiaNews/Agency) - The sound of heavy gunbattles resonated throughout the holy city of Najaf this morning, as U.S. forces battled militia loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The stepped-up fighting signaled the beginning of a major offensive against al-Sadr's Mahdi Army.
"Major operations to destroy the militia have begun," said U.S. Marine Maj. David Holahan, executive officer of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Regiment. Holahan said thousands of U.S. troops were taking part in the offensive, which began with the cordoning off of the revered Imam Ali shrine, its vast cemetery and Najaf's Old City.
The assault was expected to be led by Iraqi forces - many of whom have only minimal training - in an effort to lessen the anger from Iraq's Shiite majority, should the offensive damage the shrine where many of the insurgents have taken refuge.
The U.S. military had said Wednesday it was holding joint exercises with Iraqi national guardsmen in preparation for the planned assault.
"Iraqi and U.S. forces are making final preparations as we get ready to finish this fight that the Muqtada militia started," said Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Explosions shook buildings near the shrine, as U.S. military vehicles entered the city from the north to the persistent crackle of gunfire. A convoy of tanks, humvees and other military vehicles rolled into the city carrying what seemed to be reinforcements and supplies.
As clashes in Najaf raged for a seventh day, U.S. troops said they were impressed with militants' tenacity.
In response to the announcement, al-Sadr loyalists in the southern city of Basra threatened to blow up the oil pipelines and port infrastructure there if coalition forces launched a major attack in Najaf. A similar threat Monday caused oil officials to briefly stop pumping from the southern oil wells.
The firebrand cleric leading the insurgents has exhorted his followers to fight on even if he is killed.
The U.S. military has estimated that hundreds of insurgents have been killed in the Najaf fighting, but the militants dispute the figure. Five U.S. troops have been killed, along with about 20 Iraqi officers.
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29/01/2007
