Posted on 08/11/2004 9:04:55 AM PDT by NCjim
After spending today preparing for a major attack against insurgents loyal to the rebel Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sar, American forces called off the attack as it was about to begin.
Officers here described the reversal as a postponement and said the attack could still be carried out at any time. The abrupt reversal came after a day of hawkish announcements by American officers here.
American forces have been close to capturing or killing Mr. Sadr before, but have repeatedly backed off. This time American commanders had vowed to crush his guerrillas, known as the Mahdi Army.
The delay came after a day of intense preparation for the attack, with a convoy of tanks and armored vehicles leaving its base.
Officers declined to discuss why they did not go ahead with the attack.
"Preparations to do the offensive are taking longer than initially anticipated," said Maj. David Holahan, second in command of the Marine battalion in Najaf.
"We never said what time we would do it."
But a known concern of the American military is that fighting in Najaf's old city, where many of Mr. Sadr's guerrillas are hiding, could damage the shrine of Imam Ali, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
Damage to the mosque by either side could provoke immense anger among Iraq's 15 million Shiites, and marines and soldiers have been told that the consequences could be catastrophic.
Any attack must still be approved by Ayad Allawi, Iraq's prime minister. Officers said they could not disclose whether Mr. Allawi had delayed the attack,
Until now, the old city has been off-limits to American troops. Since Tuesday, American patrols have warned most residents of Najaf to evacuate, and have warned Mr. Sadr's guerrillas to leave the city or be killed.
The congestion of the old city mitigates American advantages in firepower, air support and technology. Much of the fighting would need to be conducted on foot.
Before the postponement, Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Najaf, said in a statement: "Iraqi and U.S. forces are making final preparations as we get ready to finish this fight that the Moktada militia started.
"The desired end state is one of stability and security, where the citizens of Najaf do not live in fear of violence or kidnappings, and where the city of Najaf can once again return to peace and prosperity."
The Marine Corps and Army have suspended most of their patrols and operations as they prepare for the broader assault, and senior officers planned the details of the attack in a series of meetings today. American forces have roughly 5,000 soldiers in the area, including 2,000 troops whose primary duties are support and logistics.
There was light fighting here this morning, but the city has been essentially quiet since then.
Violence continued elsewhere in Iraq when a bomb exploded in a market just north of Baghdad, killing at least six Iraqis and wounding 10, according to news reports.
The blast occurred in the village of Khan Bani Saad, hospital workers told Reuters. Officials had no further details on the explosion.
Mr. Sadr's guerrillas have battled the Iraqi police and American forces for more than a year, and last year an Iraqi judge issued a secret warrant for Mr. Sadr's arrest on charges of murdering a moderate Shiite cleric.
After the warrant was disclosed in April, Mr. Sadr's forces fought the American military for two months in a nationwide uprising before the two sides reached a truce when the United States agreed not to try to capture or kill Mr. Sadr.
American commanders have worried that any direct move against Mr. Sadr might increase his strength among Iraq's Shiites, who make up the majority of Iraqis.
But over the last week, most Shiites in Najaf have remained on the sidelines as American and British troops have fought Mr. Sadr's militia.
In a statement today, Mr. Sadr urged his militia to keep fighting even if he is killed.
"Keep fighting even if you see me a prisoner or a martyr," Mr. Sadr said, according to Reuters. "God willing you will be victorious."
In weighing an attack, Mr. Allawi and American commanders must consider the risks of damage to the holy Shiite shrine against the opportunity to break the rebel Mahdi Army without provoking a wider rebellion.
Since becoming prime minister in June, Mr. Allawi has taken several steps to strengthen his control over Iraq, including reinstating the death penalty last week.
Meanwhile, American commanders are anxious to win a high-profile victory after their efforts this spring to oust Mr. Sadr from Najaf's old city and take control of Falluja ended in truces that did not achieve the American goals.
At their base this afternoon, marines said they were ready for an attack.
"With the amount of firepower and amount of marines and army we have going in there, I think it's going to be overwhelming," said Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Godfredson. "I think they're going to break."
I sense another "Fallujah Brigade" moment...
Please, let it only be a short delay, not a cop out!
Ah, the Western way of war. Overwhelming is how we fight, when we fight best.
(Thanks to VDH)
They're going in NOW according to the reports on Fox News and CNN-BS.
If there was any one criticism I have in the war plan, it's the failure to get the Iraqis involved from the start.
These people have way too many shrines that would make them angry if we damaged them, but perhaps if the Iraqis did it themselves, it would be different.
No, Kerry would appreciate the nuanced "Najaf Brigade" moniker.
If we're not going to let our guys kick ass, pull them out of Iraq!
Once again we stop just short of killing off the Terrorists, why am I not surprized. Typical PC BS, and this admin wonders why Americans are getting tired of the crap over there.
It appears our overwhelming threats aren't resolving this matter. So how about OVERWHELMING FORCE?
We should have Iraqi forces at the forefront of any movement on the mosque and we should have video cameras recording the mosque to show the media (particularly Arab media) that "insurgents" are fighting from the mosque. A picture's worth a thousand words.
Tell us more.
Lead with a left jab, follow up with a right cross with steel knuckles!
Another "Fallujah Moment" brought to you by the Arabists in the State Department.
Mr. President, stop listening to those whiny bastards! Let slip the legions!
The abrupt reversal came after a day of hawkish announcements by American officers here.
Problem though, would Al Jazera show it? CNNABCBS? No we would be Tet'd again by these slimeballs.
Fox News and CNN web sites still show ready and waiting...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1187620/posts
Read what he says about setting these thugs up. It's QUITE revealing.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1187620/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.