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It's on in Najaf
The U.S. military Thursday launched a major offensive against Iraqi militants loyal to renegade Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, south of Baghdad. CNN's Matthew Chance, embedded with U.S. Marines, said the assault by the U.S. military includes tanks, heavy weapons and armored vehicles. According to Chance, the fighting is taking place in close proximity as members of al-Sadr's Mehdi Army jump out of buildings to fire rocket-propelled grenades and mortars at American forces....U.S. military authorities warned Wednesday that a showdown was coming. "Iraqi and U.S. forces are making final preparations as we get ready to finish this fight that the Muqtada militia started," Col. Anthony Haslam, commanding officer of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, said in a statement. Al-Sadr, in a statement Wednesday, was resolute about continuing the battle but thanked those people who he said worked to establish peace in the city....The peace of the dead for you Mr. Sadr??? Posted by: Rafael 2004-08-12 |
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