US persecution of Iraqis continues:
Mortars Hit Central Najaf After U.S. Attacks
Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:32 PM ET
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Several mortar bombs were heard landing in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf on Tuesday after Shi'ite rebels came under fierce U.S. bombardment overnight.
U.S. warplanes, artillery and marines engaged Shi'ite militiamen in a fierce battle around a shrine hours earlier in some of the heaviest fighting since the 20-day-old rebellion erupted.
American marines have been tightening their grip around roads leading to the Imam Ali shrine where militants loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are holed up.
The U.S.-backed Iraqi interim government has vowed to launch a major offensive against Sadr's men if they did not meet demands that include laying down their arms. No Iraqi police or National Guard forces have been seen near the shrine.
© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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