Occupation forces kill 41 of al-Sader supporters in battles in al-Najaf
Explosions were heard and intensive fire exchange took place in the surrounding of al-Najaf city in southern Iraq. Preliminary news reports confirmed that 41 among supporters of the Shiite clergy Muqtada al-Sader were killed. Witnesses said that violent armed fighting and bombardment operations by mortars erupted after the American forces besieged members of al-Mahdi army.
The witnesses said that smoke columns were seen coming out al-Maqaber ( tombs) area in the outskirts of the city while American helicopters were flying over the area.
News reports said that the occupation forces controlled the building of al-Najaf governorate and built up tanks and armored vehicles and forces to the north west of the city in order to launch an attack against al-Sader supporters.
Meantime, armed clashes took place between al-Sader supporters and the occupation forces at the eastern entrance of al-Koufa city near al-Najaf and clashes took place with the Italian forces in al-Nasereyah.
These confrontations erupted after the announcement made by the American administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, to appoint Adnan al-Shureiki as a governor for al-Najaf and his assertion on the need of dismantling the weapons of al-Sader supporters.
Bremer said in a press conference in Baghdad that Muqtada al-Sader has to be brought before the Iraqi judiciary in the accusations addressed to him over the issue of killing the Shiite leader Abdul Majuid al-Khoue.
News reports said that the streets of al-Koufa are empty, a short time after the fire, while gunmen were deployed intensively in the roads.
On the other hand, the number of occupation forces soldiers killed in Iraq increased to three during the past 24 hours. A statement by the American forces announced the killing of two soldiers and wounding of two others in a bomb explosion on Baghdad road on Wednesday evening.
One American soldier and five Iraqis were killed and 26 injured including 6 occupation soldiers yesterday on July 14 bridge which leads to the headquarters of the occupation forces in Baghdad.
Hours after the explosions, one mortar blew up in al-Sadoun street in the downtown of Baghdad while a procession of cars driven by foreigners were passing by and two drivers were injured as a result.
Moreover, news reports said that three members of the Kurdistani national federation were injured when one explosive went off at the headquarters of the party in Baqouba city to the north east of Baghdad. The explosion resulted in heavy casualties near the headquarters of the Kurdish party which is led by Jalal al-Talibani.
Meantime, the commander of the Iraqi forces in Falluja, lt. Gen. Muhammad Lteif, said that the American naval troops have to withdraw quickly from the surrounding of the city and to return back to their country so as stability will be restored.