| U.S. troops will likely enter parts of Najaf soon to clamp down on a radical Shiite cleric's rebel militia, but they will stay away from sensitive holy sites in the center of the city to avoid rousing religious outrage. Shiite leaders have warned of a possible explosion of anger among the country's Shiite majority if U.S. troops enter Najaf. Until now, U.S. commanders have been saying troops would not go in. With the new move, the military seeks to impose a degree of control in Najaf, while hoping a foray limited to the modern parts of the ancient city would not inflame Shiites. Brig. Gen. Mark Hertling did not say when troops would move in, or how many. American officials were attempting a similar, limited step in the war-torn city of Fallujah, the other main front of fighting. |