Najaf Bracing For Uprising Against Saddam Regime:

IRNA ^

[Cervantes]

USWAR/Najaf bracing for uprising against Saddam regime: sources

Tehran, March 22, IRNA -- The holy city of Najaf in southern Iraq, which has a major Shiite population, is bracing for an uprising against the regime of Saddam Hussein, sources close to the Supreme Assembly of the Islamic Revolution of Iraq (SAIRI) said Saturday. "People in the city clashed with forces of the Saddam regime in various districts on Saturday and destroyed pictures and statues of Saddam,"SAIRIsaid. A state of anticipation and revolt is prevailing in Najaf and other provinces in central Iraq, it said, adding anti-Saddam leaflets had been distributed in the city. "A similar popular movement is in the making in the city of Samava," SAIRI cited its sources as saying. People in Samava are bringing down pictures and statues of Saddam and writing Islamic graffiti on walls, they added. Populace in Najaf, Karbala, Khaneqin, Kazemin and Samera are mainly Shiite-dominated, who are often in bitter terms with the Baath regime. The regions were scenes of widespread uprising in the first Persian Gulf War in 1991, which was ruthlessly crushed by the Saddam regime.

[Cervantes]

One might be wary of the source. However, the Iranians are predominantly Shia and would likely have solid contacts in this holy city. Furthermore, this fits into what is reportedly happening in Bara.

[Poohbah]

Kinda like setting off demolition charges...

[trebb]

good news - they are starting to believe that we are there for real and will probably spark a larger base of uprising...This may help when it comes to Baghdad...

[TADSLOS]

The populace is finally emboldened. The wave will crash into Baghdad shortly.

[Blood of Tyrants]

People are beginning to take hope and believe the leaflets. I suspect that news about cities that hve been liberated is flying around the grapevine.

[xJones]

If they'll help kill some of the fedeyeens and Baathists, more power to them. One would hope the Shiites can refrain from killing any innocent Sunni minority. And absolutely no shooting at coalition troops.

[thoughtomator]

Not running away like a chicken the first time we receive casualties is probably doing a lot to convince them that this time, it's for real.

[tiki]

They're doing it in Basra why not Najaf. Go Iraqis, fight, fight, fight. Kill the oppressors and embrace freedom.

[skeeter]

No doubt these Sunnis will turn their guns on the coalition as soon as they decide we've been in Iraq long enough.

Still, their assistence will save many allied lives & help wrap this thing up ASAP. Then we can get the hell out of there.

[skeeter]

Meant to say Shi'ites.

[OrioleFan]

Tony Blair's "We will not abandon you this time" speech went over well with Shiaites.

[Textide]

I think you're right. That was a striking phrase in his speech today. Voice of America radio must've broadcast it.

[Joe Brower]

I agree. It should come as no surprise that it has taken several days for these people to finally be sufficiently convinced that they have a real chance this time around.

Now that they are rising up, this will hopefully inspire even more of their countrymen to follow their lead.