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| Iraq-Jordan |
| 11th MEU battles anti-Iraqi forces in An Najaf |
| 2004-08-14 |
| The first four days of the battle of Najaf, between 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) forces and the Muqtada Militia, started here in the early morning darkness well before dawn, Aug. 5. A large number of aggressors, later confirmed to be members of the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Muqtada Militia, attacked the city of Najaf's main police station at 1 a.m. and were quickly repelled by the Iraqi police. Later, at 3 a.m., they attacked again, this time with heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and small arms. Iraqi National Guardsmen from the 405th Battalion, 50th Iraqi Brigade, were notified and arrived on the scene and helped the IPs successfully defended the station from the Anti-Iraqi Forces. At this point, the governor of An Najaf province decided to send an urgent message to the 11th MEU requesting their assistance. A quick reaction force from the MEU was dispatched. "Attacking local police, whose sole job is to maintain peace in Najaf and keep its citizens safe, is another demonstration of the Muqtada Militia's disregard for the people of the city, and their desire to prevent a free and prosperous Iraq," said Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer, 11th MEU (SOC). When the Marine Quick Reaction Force arrived, the AIF had withdrawn into the city's exclusion zone. The Marines didn't fire a single shot. |
| Posted by:Jarhead |
| #1 The best part of this is that the Iraqi police and national guard units apparently fought well. That's measurable progress. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2004-08-14 3:10:55 PM |