US troops poised to penetrate Najaf despite warnings

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: An American general Brig. Gen. Mark Hertling said Sunday US troops will likely enter parts of the holy city of Najaf soon to crack down on Moqtada As-Sadr’s militia, but they will stay away from sensitive holy sites in the center of the city.

Ayaat, or the religious authorities, as well as leaders in and outside Iraq have warned the United States of attacking Najaf saying this step of US would explode anger throughout the world.

Najaf is home to the holy mausoleum of 4th caliph of Muslims, cousin and son-in-law of holy Prophet (pbuh&hp), Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (pbuh).

Until now, US commanders have been saying troops would not go in. Brig. Gen. Hertling did not say when troops would move in, or how many.

Meanwhile, top US military spokesman in Iraq Brigadier General Mark Kimmit said: “There are no time lines (for US forces to enter the city) in the near term.”

United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi warned of a disaster if American soldiers enter the city. “This is a city with a lot of history. It is charged with a huge, huge quantity, if I might, if that's the word for it, of history,” he said on ABC's “This Week.”

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