Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Mock-tater Al-Satyr

Stratos · 08-20-2004, 10:11 AM

If you refer to Imam Ali's Mosque, they've already taken it:

-------------------------------------------------
Al-Sadr supporters leave Najaf mosque
Iraqi police enter mosque without fight

NAJAF, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi police seized control of the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf on Friday after the fighters loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdrew, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said.

The Iraqi Interior Ministry said police peacefully entered the mosque Friday afternoon.

U.S. and Iraqi forces had surrounded the outskirts of the mosque compound Friday as part of offensive operations aimed at putting pressure on the fighters, who were holed up in the mosque complex.

A spokesman for al-Sadr said al-Sadr ordered the mosque to be handed over to "the highest religious authority."

Iraqi Ministry of Health officials Friday said 77 Iraqis were killed and 70 were wounded in heavy fighting in Najaf overnight.

The dead included six Iraqi police officers.

Recent fighting in the city center has damaged the mosque and two of its minarets, according to a CNN producer who visited the compound.

Al-Sadr had refused to negotiate on the latest Iraqi government ultimatum because, an aide said, he and his forces want to deal with the Iraqi National Conference delegation and not the interim government.

Thousands of militants loyal to al-Sadr were inside the mosque, and Iraqi officials had threatened to "liberate" the mosque in a military offensive if the forces don't leave.

"We are very determined that blood loss should be minimized," interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said.

CNN producer Kianne Sadeq, who went inside the mosque compound Thursday with a group of journalists, reported persistent sounds of mortars, gunfire and explosions. She said there was also a great deal of sniper fire.

The journalists were greeted by the Mehdi Army with cheers and chants of "We will not stand down!" Fighters flashed pictures of al-Sadr and many danced. Also inside the compound were women and children, most of whom appeared in a festive mood like the rest of the al-Sadr followers. (On the Scene: Inside the mosque)

Homes and businesses around the compound were heavily damaged. The streets were empty, and Sadeq described the area as a virtual ghost town.

"Everything outside of the mosque seems to be totaled," Sadeq said.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health also said Friday that fighting in Baghdad overnight had killed 13 Iraqis and wounded 107, with most of the casualties happening in Sadr City, the Iraqi Ministry of Health said. The area is a Shiite neighborhood and a focus for the activities of al-Sadr supporters.
-------------------------------------------------
Source: CNN.com

[ 08-20-2004, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

08-20-2004, 10:11 AM	#4
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 3,888	If you refer to Imam Ali's Mosque, they've already taken it: ------------------------------------------------- Al-Sadr supporters leave Najaf mosque Iraqi police enter mosque without fight NAJAF, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi police seized control of the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf on Friday after the fighters loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdrew, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said. The Iraqi Interior Ministry said police peacefully entered the mosque Friday afternoon. U.S. and Iraqi forces had surrounded the outskirts of the mosque compound Friday as part of offensive operations aimed at putting pressure on the fighters, who were holed up in the mosque complex. A spokesman for al-Sadr said al-Sadr ordered the mosque to be handed over to "the highest religious authority." Iraqi Ministry of Health officials Friday said 77 Iraqis were killed and 70 were wounded in heavy fighting in Najaf overnight. The dead included six Iraqi police officers. Recent fighting in the city center has damaged the mosque and two of its minarets, according to a CNN producer who visited the compound. Al-Sadr had refused to negotiate on the latest Iraqi government ultimatum because, an aide said, he and his forces want to deal with the Iraqi National Conference delegation and not the interim government. Thousands of militants loyal to al-Sadr were inside the mosque, and Iraqi officials had threatened to "liberate" the mosque in a military offensive if the forces don't leave. "We are very determined that blood loss should be minimized," interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said. CNN producer Kianne Sadeq, who went inside the mosque compound Thursday with a group of journalists, reported persistent sounds of mortars, gunfire and explosions. She said there was also a great deal of sniper fire. The journalists were greeted by the Mehdi Army with cheers and chants of "We will not stand down!" Fighters flashed pictures of al-Sadr and many danced. Also inside the compound were women and children, most of whom appeared in a festive mood like the rest of the al-Sadr followers. (On the Scene: Inside the mosque) Homes and businesses around the compound were heavily damaged. The streets were empty, and Sadeq described the area as a virtual ghost town. "Everything outside of the mosque seems to be totaled," Sadeq said. The Iraqi Ministry of Health also said Friday that fighting in Baghdad overnight had killed 13 Iraqis and wounded 107, with most of the casualties happening in Sadr City, the Iraqi Ministry of Health said. The area is a Shiite neighborhood and a focus for the activities of al-Sadr supporters. ------------------------------------------------- Source: CNN.com [ 08-20-2004, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ] __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.