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US assault in Najaf to exclude key shrine
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-08-12 16:57 A US-led assault on the centre
of the holy Iraqi city of Najaf on Thursday excludes a key shrine holy to
Shi'ite Muslims worldwide, a US general said.
"Current clearing operations by Iraqi Security Forces and multinational
forces in Kufa and Najaf are focused on areas in both cities, but do not include
the Imam Ali Mosque nor the Kufa Mosque," Brigadier General Erv Lessel, the main
spokesman for the US military in Iraq, said in a statement.
US and Iraqi forces were battling militiamen loyal to radical cleric Moqtada
al-Sadr near an ancient cemetery in the city and nearby town of Kufa while US
tanks cordoned off the Imam Ali Mosque.
"Today's operations are designed to restrict freedom of movement of Sadr
forces in Kufa and Najaf and to further isolate them in these mosques which they
use as a base of operations," Lessel said.
"Militia use of these shrines as protective shields could lead to damage of
these sacred sites."
The general said the operation was in "strict compliance with guidance from
(interim) Prime Minister (Iyad Allawi) to safeguard and prevent possible harm to
these holy shrines as well as protect the citizens and future of
Iraq".
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