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| Iraq |
| Shiite cleric rejects holy sites in Iraq struck |
| 2003-04-08 |
| Special Note: This story is from the Islamic Republic News Agency, a "unbiased source". A prominent Shiite cleric on Tuesday denied reports that coalition forces had struck holy sites in the cities of Najaf and Karbala in central Iraq. "This claim that holy sites have been damaged is not true at all," opposition figure, Seyyed Abdelmajid al-Khoei, told IRNA from Najaf by telephone. "Believe me, not a single bullet has hit the wall of the shrine," he said when asked to comment on the speculation that some of the Shiite holy sites, including the mausoleum of Imam Ali (AS) — the first infallible imam of the household of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) — in Najaf had been targeted. The US and Iraq have been trading charges since the American-led invasion began on March 20 over the holy sites in Iraq. The US military has denied striking mosques in Najaf. Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahhaf said last Wednesday that US-led forces were trying to destroy the mausoleums of Imam Ali (AS) and his martyred son, Imam Hussein (AS) — the third infallible imam — in Karbala. Khoi had earlier been cited as saying that Iraqi militiamen were using residents in Najaf as "human shields" around holy sites against the invading troops. The cleric, who arrived in Najaf last Tuesday from his usual base in London, told IRNA that life in the holy city was very much back to normal. "Restaurants, shops and the grand bazaar are currently open and the only problem is the lack of power which force shops to close earlier," he said. Khoi described Najaf "very secure and calm", saying the city was completely in the hands of its residents and the last remnants of Iraqi militiamen from the ruling Baath party and Saddam's suicide Fedayeen forces in the city had "either gone to hell or been captured or fled". Nice touch, that last line. "Clashes between Iraqi militiamen and coalition forces were limited to the early days after US-led foray into Najaf. But local people's assistance eased up affairs very much after they reported the hide-outs of the criminals to the coalition forces," he said. Coalition forces control all the city's entrances and exits, he said, adding there is no sign of military presence inside Najaf. "Running water, which was cut a week ago after the Baath forces blew off the main network upon retreat, has been relinked since Monday morning," he added. The only major problem now is the lack of gas since gas stations have been affected by lack of electricity, which was supplied from Baghdad, Khoei said. The city's administration has no order and all state offices are vacated and schools closed, the cleric said, adding local people were running Najaf's affairs. "Volunteer groups of people from among the tribal heads of Najaf and other prominent figures such as traders, university professors and former state officials have been designated by the citizens to run the city's affairs," he said. Khoei said there were no clashes inside Karbala, which lies on a strategic way to Baghdad and that the war went on 25 km outside the holy city on the main road which links the two cities. I don't think a US Army PIO could write a more glowing report. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #4 Murat, I'm still waiting. |
| Posted by: Tom 2003-04-08 16:53:21 |
| #3 Come on, Murat. Let's hear your take on this one. |
| Posted by: Tom 2003-04-08 11:24:20 |
| #2 Volunteer groups of people from among the tribal heads of Najaf and other prominent figures such as traders, university professors and former state officials have been designated by the citizens to run the city's affairs," he said. Bravo! Damn good start! Keep that up, and we'll be happy to leave when you ask. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-04-08 10:15:26 |
| #1 "Running water, which was cut a week ago after the Baath forces blew off the main network upon retreat, has been relinked since Monday morning" Very good news. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-04-08 09:47:07 |