| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq-Jordan |
| U.S.-led forces launch biggest Najaf push yet |
| 2004-05-06 |
| AP  2004-05-06 03:03:38 NAJAF, IRAQ -- U.S.-led forces launched their biggest assault yet against militiamen loyal to a radical Shiite cleric, raiding hideouts in several cities yesterday and clashing with gunmen in the world’s biggest cemetery. At least 15 Iraqis and a U.S. soldier were killed. Moderate Shiites tried to persuade anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to back away from his confrontation with the United States -- a reflection of their growing concern. Skirmishes between U.S. troops and al-Sadr’s al-Mahdi Army militia have grown deadlier recently as the military steps up pressure on the cleric while trying to avoid an offensive in the Shiite holy city of Najaf. "The operation will continue until the goal of eliminating and disarming al-Sadr’s militia is met," Polish forces representative Lt.-Col. Robert Strzelecki said. "I think that will take place soon." The heaviest fighting in the south -- part of the military’s Operation Iron Saber -- came in the holy city of Karbala, where coalition forces raided a hotel, the local former Baath party headquarters and the regional governor’s office, where al-Sadr fighters had been stockpiling weapons, U.S. Brig.-Gen. Mark Kimmitt said. In the overnight raid on the governor’s office, troops came under fire, Kimmitt said in Baghdad. He said 10 al-Sadr followers were killed. The U.S. soldier died when a dump truck tried to ram a checkpoint in Karbala, the military said. He was the 20th U.S. serviceman killed in Iraq in May. Outside the city of Kufa, U.S. forces saw Iraqis unloading weapons from a van. The vehicle was destroyed and five Iraqis killed, Kimmitt said. In Najaf, U.S. troops battled al-Mahdi Army fighters outside a cemetery near the Imam Ali Shrine, Iraq’s holiest Shiite site. The soldiers opened fire with machine-guns on militiamen who had ambushed them. More than 50 militiamen took part in the fighting in Najaf’s sprawling cemetery, ambushing three U.S. Humvees. As the Americans returned fire, mourners burying their dead ran for safety. |
| Posted by:Zenster |
| #3 I'm kinda worried about the crowd tonight SH. |
| Posted by: Shamu 2004-05-06 7:19:56 PM |
| #2 LOL Pretty funny for a biped. |
| Posted by: Shamu 2004-05-06 7:42:26 AM |
| #1 More than 50 militiamen took part in the fighting in Najaf’s sprawling cemetery, ambushing three U.S. Humvees. As the Americans returned fire, mourners burying their dead ran for safety. I'll take insurgency for 300, Alec. The answer is: a firefight in an Islamic cemetary. buzzzzzzzz Alec, what is the definition of convenience? That is correct. It is still you're board. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-05-06 4:31:23 AM |