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Will Najaf survive US onslaughts?

by P. Muthiah

Iraq is in chaos. US and Iraqi forces face a tough task in quelling the Shiite uprising in Najaf, and protests against the two-week country-wide bombing. More than 200 have been killed in fierce fighting after a truce, which lasted several months between the US and its critics, ended.

Najaf, home to the much revered shrine of Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the 4th Caliph of Islam and first Imam of Shiite Muslim, where al-Sadr's militants have taken refugee, is encircled by 2000 US marines. The US 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the US forces continue their bombardment of nearby cemetery and the cleric house, in an attempt to kill al-Sadr. Iraqi authorities have issued a warrant for al-Sadr's arrest over the killing of rival cleric Abdul Majid al-Khoei last year. Najaf, popular for its Shiite sentiments, has withstood several onslaughts. The people of Najaf revolted against Ottamans in 1915, fought against British in 1918 and against Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War.

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi repeatedly warned the Mehdi militia to surrender and leave the mosque, but it proved futile. Since the shrine was considered a possible target of attack, it enraged Iraq's Shiite majority, including those who did not support Sadr's uprising. This uprising stirred up other Shi'ite cities where the US bombing was vehemently condemned.

Analysts view the resentment could pose long-term consequences for Prime Minister Allawi. Shiites say every action of the Interim government is overseen by the Americans and it reveals its impotence. Analysts say the attack might break the backbone of Sadr's militia, but will make the Shiite leader a formidable force.

When the United States transferred limited powers to the interim government in June, it was stated that authority for major decisions on the use of force would be exercised by the Allawi led government. The US marines that took over from US army did not seek approval from senior commanders of the United States or from Allawi's government. The only exception was the Governor Adnam al-Zurfi, who denied that he gave orders to attack al-Sadr's militia.

According to reports, the main reason for the stand-off at Najaf is the high-handed stand of the US marines.

Meanwhile, Iraq's top Shiite Muslim Cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called on all sides to resolve the crisis as soon as possible to prevent a repetition of the situation.

Shiite leaders want an elected government, that maintains not only democratic, but also Arab-Islamic, and nationalist character of Iraq.They also demand that US troops withdraw from Najaf and condemned Allawi for working with the Americans. These demands are completely disturbing the American strategy in the country.

Ayatollah Sistani believes that Iraq should have a pluralistic kind of federal democracy with all minorities, especially Sunni and Kurds represented in a broad government.

Iraq's Sunni Arabs, who ruled the country since it was founded, are waging a powerful armed resistance against the US-led occupation forces.

Both Sunni nationalists and Islamic militants oppose any type of American domination in the country. They are determined to recapture the power they lost.

The Najaf fighting has not only brought misery to the people of the city, but also to the world. As a result, the prices of crude oil in the New York market rose to an alarming level for the second time in forty eight hours, to reach 48 US dollars. Several oil pipelines have been destroyed and the economy is in tatters. Now with foreign occupation and guerilla war, Iraqi economy is about a quarter of what it was in 1980.

Will the occupation of the US led forces end?

Will, the Iraqi Kurds, Arabs and Turks and religious-wise Sunnis, Shiites and Christians, be able to bury the hatchet and prosper together?

These are the questions that are uppermost in the minds of Iraqis.

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