Blasts and gunfire echoed across the holy city of Najaf on Thursday, as the U.S. military and Iraqi forces launched a full-scale assault against fighters loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
According to The AP, thousands of U.S. troops were taking part in the offensive, which started with the cordoning off of the revered Imam Ali shrine, its vast cemetery and Najaf's Old City.
"Major operations to destroy the militia have begun," said U.S. Marine Maj. David Holahan, executive officer of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Regiment.
U.S. military Humvees moved toward al-Sadr's house and fought with his followers who were guarding the building, witnesses said. A large fire raged across the street and at least two helicopters flew above the area.
Thousands of Iraqi civilians have already fled the city, reports said.
U.S. commanders said interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi would have to approve any operation at the shrine itself, and operation that involves entering the shrine would likely involve Iraqi national guard troops, not U.S. forces.
Allawi called Thursday on the Shiite fighters to put down their weapons and leave the shrine. "These places have never been exposed to such violations in the past," he said.
"Our government calls upon all the armed groups to drop their weapons and return to society. We also call upon all the armed men to evacuate the holy shrine and not to violate its holiness."
Meanwhile, a British soldier was killed and another seriously injured when a roadside bomb went off near their patrol in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Thursday, a British military spokesman stated. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
