Iraqi resistance prepares for suicide operations, Iran warns against violating red lines
Iraq-Iran, Politics, 5/15/2004

The American tanks, supported by planes, yesterday bombarded into al-Najaf in one of its deepest incursion into the holy city and launched fierce fighting with Iraqi resistance men that lasted for hours during which the dome of Imam Ali tomb was hit by the occupation fire in a step raising the rage of the Shiite in Iraq whose leaders called for revenge and carrying out " martyrdom " operation against the occupation forces.

It also outraged Iran which warned that the two cities of al-Najaf and Karbala are "red lines" that should not be violated.

The spokesman for the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader, Sheikh Ahmad al-Sheibani, said that 10 members of the Iraqi resistance men were killed yesterday in the fighting in the city which he said took place in the cemetery area and al-Thawra 1920 square. He said "we are ready to face any American forces, regardless to its size," noting that the American forces " seek to compensate its losses in Falluja."

The official in the main hospital in the city, Haidar Rahim Nimah, said that four Iraqis were killed and other 26 injured, adding that most of the victims are civilians. At least three resistance men were killed and their bodies were brought to the tomb and were welcomed by the families by Allah Akbar ( God is Great) and " American is the enemy of the God." Witnesses said they saw a huge number of injured people in the area of the battle, adding that the occupation forces prevented ambulances from having access to them. The American army said that one soldier was wounded in the confrontations.

The fighting took place in the downtown of al-Najaf and its surrounding and lasted for 6 hours. The huge cemetery of the city, which is considered the largest in the world, had the big portion of yesterday's fighting after it was incurred by seven occupation cemetery so as to undermine the will of the resistance.

The Golden dome of Imam Ali tomb was hit by several bullets resulting in cracks with each 30 cm length and 20 cm width. The spokesman for al-Sader Qeis al-Kahz'ali accused the occupation forces of attacking the tomb, renewed his vow to revenge the American forces which he said had violated " a red line " by getting into a holy land. He added that no more red lines are left after violating the dignity of Imam Ali shrine.

However, the representative of al-Sader in al-Amara city, Firqad al-Musawi, warned the Iraqi police and civil defense forces that they will be executed if they will help the occupation forces in its war against the resistance.

However, al-Sader representative in al-Basra, Abdul Sattar al- Bahadli, announced for his part that he had order the formation of suicide groups in order to carry out operations against the occupation forces and urged citizens to register their names for that.

The Iraqi resistance members seized the office of the governor and cordoned the police centers in al-Nasereyah and an eye witness described the situation in the city as tense.

However, al-Seistani assistant, Ayatullah Muhammad Baqer al-Mahdi, called on the American occupation forces and members of the Iraqi resistance to withdraw from Najaf. Al-Mahri who is in Kuwait said that the fighting is expanding quickly and he has fears over the holy sites and the life of al-Seistani.

Previous Stories:
  Tehran prepares a file against Saddam   (4/23/2004)
  Setback for Iranian mediation, al-Seistani warns occupation from entering Najaf, American criticizes Syria, appeals its help   (4/16/2004)
  Iranian mediation delegation between Washington and al- Sader arrives in Iraq   (4/15/2004)

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