Fierce firefights broke out in the Iraqi holy city of Necef (Najaf) as US forces began their assault on radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr and his militia after the group failed to withdraw from the Imam Ali Tomb within the time provided. Qatar-based Al Arabiya television broadcast images of violent clashes near the holy Tomb. No further statement has been issued regarding the clashes so far. Just before the fighting broke out, Sadr Spokesman and Mahdi Army Commander Sheikh Ahmed Shaybani reported that Sadr rejected the Iraqi National Conference's demands to end the revolt. Shaybani told reporters inside the Tomb that they absolutely refuse the demands of Conference. He claims that the demands are not in the line with what they had agreed upon.
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Interim Iraqi State Minister Kasim Davud set some demands earlier today, which included Sadr disarming his militia, ending the revolt, and withdrawing from the Tomb. Military force would be used against Sadr if these conditions were not fulfilled, said Davud. Sadr was given a few hours to leave the Tomb. Sadr Representative Sheikh Awsal Hafeji indicated that they would show their support to Sadr by remaining in the Tomb. "We won't return the Key to the Tomb," Hafeji declared. |