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08/21/2004:

""He Must be Killed or Captured:" The "Rebel Cleric" and the Siege of Najaf"

by Mike Whitney counterpunch.org
"They say freedom and democracy and yet they appoint a government. Appointment cannot agree with freedom and democracy. Rather, we are demanding with all our strength the formation of an Iraqi government and sovereignty, but not through the Americans and occupiers. They have no right to interfere with Iraqi affairs whatsoever..."
Muqtada al Sadr

"Al Sadr must be killed or captured."
General Mark Kimmet

"Shia leader Muqtada al Sadr has rejected an ultimatum to withdraw his besieged fighters...and US troops are reportedly advancing from several directions"
Al Jazeera Thurs, Aug 19

The siege of Najaf has two clearly defined objectives; disband the "al Mehdi" militia and restore the city to occupation control.

The conflict is being heralded as the "first major test" of the new provisional government of US "appointee" Ayad Allawi. Most critics conclude that if the US military backs down now the credibility of the new regime will be in shambles.

So, the siege will continue.

Early reports from Al Jazeera indicate that fighting has already resumed and that "29 casualties have been brought in from clashes in the heart of the city."

The current conflict with al Sadr has been quickly conveyed to most of the major cities in Iraq. The possibility of a widespread Shiite rebellion seems inevitable.

As journalist Robert Fisk predicted some weeks ago, "Iraq is ready to explode." full article