Checkpoints will be targeted, Sadr's men warn

AFP ^ | May 04 2004

[Tailgunner Joe]

Najaf, Iraq - A spokesperson for wanted Shi'a cleric Moqtada Sadr warned on Tuesday that his militia would attack any United States military checkpoint between Najaf and Kufa further north, saying the Americans provoked clashes on Monday that killed five Iraqis and wounded 20.

"We consider any checkpoint an offensive move and as far as we are concerned there are no barriers between Kufa and Najaf," Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani said.

He said US soldiers at a base in Najaf previously occupied by Spanish and Latin American troops provoked Monday's clashes by firing at a pickup truck transporting fighters from Sadr's Mehdi Army militia from Najaf to Kufa on a back street in the city's industrial neighbourhood.

Shaibani said this alleged attack on Sadr's men prompted them to fire mortars on the base and the checkpoint which was set up on the main road outside the base.

The fight that ensued killed four civilians and one Iraqi policeman, with doctors at Najaf's Hakeem General Hospital saying late on Monday that there were at least two other people killed in their cars near the base, but it was too dangerous for emergency crew to retrieve them.

"America is responsible for the blood of innocent Iraqis," said Shaibani.

The US military checkpoint was set up around noon on Monday and was manned by at least seven soldiers and guarded with heavy weaponry including two tanks and two armoured vehicles.

Soldiers searched vehicles and frisked young men entering Kufa.

One soldier said that they wanted to prevent Sadr from moving men and weapons from his base in the centre of Najaf to his other stronghold in Kufa, about 10km to the north.

Sadr, who is wanted in connection with the murder of a rival cleric last year, has dug in with his militia around the Imam Ali mausoleum, Najaf's holiest site.

They have also built up defensive positions in Kufa, especially around that city's grand mosque and the shrine of Maitham al-Tamar.

The US-led occupation, which has dispatched a force of 2 500 US troops to Najaf, insists that Sadr must face justice and disband his militia. - Sapa-AFP

[bigpete_53]

Sadr, who is wanted in connection with the murder of a rival cleric last year, has dug in with his militia around the Imam Ali mausoleum, Najaf's holiest site.

What a coward.

[Rokke]

By attacking checkpoints, I think Sadr's folks mean they'll throw 20 or so dead insurgant bodies at or near the checkpoint. At least that is what several Sadr Militia attacks on checkpoints has resulted in so far.

[LS]

If the mountain won't go to Mohammad, bring Mohammad to the mountain---in this case, if we don't want to "violate" a mosque, it's just as effective to get them to come out and play.

[tiamat]

Far as I am concerned, if the Bad Guys are shooting from it, it is defiled and no longer a mosque!

[K1avg]

And this is news?

Suddenly al-Sadr seems a bigger threat than bin Laden. Kill 'em both, I say!

[lancer]

Time to open a can of whup-ass!

[Dr. Frank fan]

Translation: "We Sadrites consider the Najaf-Kufa line to be logistically crucial to our military operations. We can't afford to let you cut it off as that would mark our death knell."

US military, act accordingly.

[Steve_Seattle]

I won't be happy until Sadr is being boofed in hell by 70 hairy apes.

[observer5]

Can't this guy have some sort of an accident?

[Chinese_American_Patriot]

F*** Al-Sadist! This fat son of a b**** is a coward with big talk, no action.

[Vigilanteman]

Far as I am concerned, if the Bad Guys are shooting from it, it is defiled and no longer a mosque!

And, I'd also add:

1. If it is used to harbor terrorists, it is no longer a place of worship.

2. If it is used to stash weapons, it is no longer a place of worship.

3. If it is used to preach violence against Christians and Jews, it is no longer a place of worship.

4. In short, if it is used like a white supremicist compound, treat it like our Feds would treat said compound.

[Tax Government]

Why is Sadr still walking around?

[eyespysomething]

Thanks for the heads up a-hole.

[Itzlzha]

In short, if it is used like a white supremicist compound, treat it like our Feds would treat said compound.

AMEN!!!

Where are all the "brave" LIEberal warriors that LOVED Gen. el Reno's assault on Waco? Why arer they 180 degrees out when it's in Iraq?

Know the enemy by their associations, and their actions! Seems we have about 33% of the electorate in this country who could be classified as "enemy combatants"!

[Tailgunner Joe]

Why is Fallujah still around?

[Rebelbase]

Only 5 more days until the new sheriff comes to town.