All eyes are on imperiled shrine; Sadr militia plants mines

By: Mohamed Ali

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF/WASHINGTON: With its twin minarets and glinting gold dome, the Imam Ali shrine in the holy city of Najaf has been a beacon for the Muslim faithful as well as non-Muslims for more than 1,200 years, but with fighting raging around the shrine, eyes the world over are on it.

Thousands of US troops on Thursday launched a major attack on Najaf, one of the holiest cities in the Muslim world, while three major American Muslim organizations issued statements calling for negotiations to end the conflict.

Tanks backed by helicopter gunships moved to seal off the revered Imam Ali Shrine in the centre of the city. Aircraft and artillery pounded the city's historic cemetery where militiamen have taken up positions in recent days.

The offensive was launched early morning Thursday. US troops and Iraqi security forces sealed off all main entrances leading to the Imam Ali (p) mausoleum in the heart of the central Iraqi city of Najaf, witnesses said.

According to The New York Times the US has tripled its force around the city to some 5,000 troops. There are also a few hundred Iraqi soldiers. Using loudspeakers, troops have been warning residents to leave the area. Thousands have fled the city.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that armed elements from Mehdi Militia led by Moqtada As-Sadr have planted mines and explosives around the compound of Imam Ali Bin Abi Taleb (p).

The Los Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council said: “Illegal under the Geneva Conventions, any fighting or destruction to the shrine would result in incalculable damage to the image and interests of the United States and would be widely condemned across the world.”

Early Thursday, the Iraqi government issued a statement on behalf of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi assuring Iraqis “that the holy shrine will remain safe from all attacks that could possibly harm its sacredness.”

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