Posted on 08/11/2004 5:26:32 PM PDT by blam
US marines poised to crush Najaf revolt
By Adrian Blomfield in Baghdad
(Filed: 12/08/2004)
US marines were poised last night to launch a final assault on militants loyal to the rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr as they sought to recapture Najaf, the centre of a bloody Shia insurgency engulfing southern Iraq.
As British troops fought fierce battles with militants in Amara and Basra, American commanders warned the rebel forces they were ready to crush the revolt in Najaf after a week of fierce fighting.
Mahdi militiamen on the offensive in Najaf
"Iraqi and US forces are making final preparations as we get ready to finish this fight that the Moqtada militia started," said Col Anthony Haslam, commanding officer of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
As marines pushed further into the city's vast cemetery - the main battleground of the clashes - Sadr ordered his men to keep fighting even if he was killed.
Leading Sadr aides later vowed to intensify their rebellion if their leader was killed.
"We will set fire to the whole of Iraq if he dies," said Hassan Naji al-Mousawi. "We will fight until we are all dead too, but we will take a lot of Americans with us."
In Basra, Sheikh Asaad al-Basri, the local leader of the Mahdi army, threatened to blow up oil pipelines if US forces attacked in Najaf.
At least 380 militants have been killed in the fighting in Najaf over the last few days, American military officials say, while more than 100 others are believed to have died in other cities.
Iyad Allawi, the interim prime minister, has laid his credibility on the line by promising total destruction of the Mahdi army. But he also risks alienating more moderate members of Iraq's majority Shia community.
One particular concern for the US marines is the number of Mahdi militiamen who have taken up positions in Najaf's Imam Ali shrine, widely revered by Shia Muslims who would view an attack on it as the ultimate act of desecration. Senior US officers say they have been given permission to attack it, but have not yet decided whether to do so.
British troops launched an offensive overnight on Tuesday against Shia fighters in the southern town of Amara, killing 10 of them, the militiamen said. Hospital officials in the town said four civilians had also died. British officers said there was no indication of any civilian casualties.
Two British soldiers were wounded during the operation, launched to stop insurgents firing mortars at them.
The British also clashed with Mahdi militiamen in Basra, though no details of casualties could be confirmed.
In Nassiriya and other cities, thousands of furious Shias marched in a display of anger against Mr Allawi and his American backers.
"The Americans can never win us back now," said Mehdi Nouri, a shopkeeper in Baghdad's sprawling Sadr City slums, where several people were killed yesterday in battles with United States forces.
"The Americans are frightened of ordinary Iraqi people, that is why they hate us. We are frightened of them, that is why we hate them. In such a situation we can only see deaths and more deaths. We are begging the Americans to leave."
Ahmad Chalabi, the Iraqi politician who has fallen out of favour with his former American mentors, has returned to Baghdad to face an arrest warrant on alleged counterfeiting charges, his aides said yesterday.
An Iraqi judge said on Monday that Mr Chalabi, who has visiting Iran, would be arrested as soon as he set foot in Iraq after fake Iraqi dinars were found in his home during a police raid last May. Mr Chalabi says he is the victim of a political smear.
At least "hunting season" on the Mufti militia has been pretty good lately LOL.
Sistani needs to intercede, or say something, soon I hope.
How about a fatwa on "fat boy Sadr"?
Unfortunately, only in our world, not theirs.
It would be akin to blowing up the temples in Mecca and Medina.
Maybe it will come to that but not any time soon hopefully IMHO.
Oh, so it's actually a good thing to allow them to re-group, re-arm and re-train...
Maybe we should do the same with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Or are we already?
We all are.
Hey...when all you got is sand and camels...
But if they want to go see their 72 Michael Moore's...I will gladly donate the gerbils to go with them.
Poor gerbils....
The sooner the better, methinks. Islamic terrorists have no redeeming social value, and Islamic culture produces nothing of material value. The world would be a better place without either their terrorists or their culture.
JediForce,I know I just wanted to see in print:)
Okay, the alternative is acceptable.
Great post. Specially the solution!!!
Blank as it gets hey??
Fox has the Pettttersooon case in the background so I am thinking about switching to Cheers.
Dunno, Mikey's a big boy. Might want to try Nutria.
and again... I shudder... :D
I kind of like that idea. Drop Michael Moore over Najaf. Anyone who isn't crushed by his body will succumb to the odor.
Just like the IRA
Big L- check out the crew drill on the 60- wonder if their FDC is any better...not!
I haven't noticed any sights on their tubes. Have you? They only seem to be doing crude direct lay.
I doubt even that- if they have LOS to the marines...the marines have LOS to them...and they do use sighted fire.
Might have some shmo up on the roof however...
"Left Haji, left! By the Foreskin of the Prophet, snipped off these many years gone by...LEFT...Bimillah! not that much left, go back right, right!"
It's amazing they hit anything at all without shooting themselves with it first.
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