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U.S., Iraqi forces kill 300 militants in Najaf
Reuters
Monday, January 29, 2007; 1:32 AM
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces killed some 300 gunmen from an apocalyptic Muslim cult in a day-long battle involving U.S. tanks and aircraft near the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, Iraqi police, army and political sources said.
The U.S. military said on Monday it was an ongoing operation so it could not provide any details.
An Iraqi army source said U.S. forces took control of the operation on Sunday and had continued bombing the area until well after dawn on Monday.
Two Americans were killed, the U.S. military said on Sunday, when an attack helicopter went down during the battle that was one of the strangest incidents of the 4-year conflict. Iraqi officials said the helicopter seemed to be shot down.
Police Colonel Ali Nomas said 300 to 350 gunmen had been killed in the operation and dozens more arrested. Three Iraqi soldiers were killed and six more missing, and five policemen were killed. Another 40 Iraqi police and soldiers were wounded.
According to one Iraqi political source, hundreds of fighters, drawn from both Sunni and Shi'ite communities, fought throughout Sunday and late into the night, on the eve of the highpoint of the Shi'ite religious calendar.
A Reuters reporter at the scene, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, saw U.S. tanks and heard blasts after dark and an Iraqi officer said F-16 jets were bombing the area.
Details of the day's fighting were sketchy and the origins of the fighters unclear. An Iraqi army source said some of the dead wore headbands declaring themselves a "Soldier of Heaven."
The political source said up to 1,000 fighters had been involved. An Iraqi army source said they wore camouflage and appeared well organized.
The governor of Najaf province said the group had gathered in orchards near the city and had been planning to attack the main Shi'ite clerical leadership on Monday. It is the climax of the annual Shi'ite rite of Ashura, marking a 7th century battle which entrenched the schism between Shi'ite and Sunni Islam.
A million or more pilgrims gathered in the holy city of Kerbala, between Najaf and Baghdad, for Monday's ceremonies.
The U.S. military officially handed over responsibility for Najaf province to Iraqi security forces last month, withdrawing most U.S. troops, to be recalled only to help in emergencies.
Reuters
Monday, January 29, 2007; 1:32 AM
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces killed some 300 gunmen from an apocalyptic Muslim cult in a day-long battle involving U.S. tanks and aircraft near the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, Iraqi police, army and political sources said.
The U.S. military said on Monday it was an ongoing operation so it could not provide any details.
An Iraqi army source said U.S. forces took control of the operation on Sunday and had continued bombing the area until well after dawn on Monday.
Two Americans were killed, the U.S. military said on Sunday, when an attack helicopter went down during the battle that was one of the strangest incidents of the 4-year conflict. Iraqi officials said the helicopter seemed to be shot down.
Police Colonel Ali Nomas said 300 to 350 gunmen had been killed in the operation and dozens more arrested. Three Iraqi soldiers were killed and six more missing, and five policemen were killed. Another 40 Iraqi police and soldiers were wounded.
According to one Iraqi political source, hundreds of fighters, drawn from both Sunni and Shi'ite communities, fought throughout Sunday and late into the night, on the eve of the highpoint of the Shi'ite religious calendar.
A Reuters reporter at the scene, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, saw U.S. tanks and heard blasts after dark and an Iraqi officer said F-16 jets were bombing the area.
Details of the day's fighting were sketchy and the origins of the fighters unclear. An Iraqi army source said some of the dead wore headbands declaring themselves a "Soldier of Heaven."
The political source said up to 1,000 fighters had been involved. An Iraqi army source said they wore camouflage and appeared well organized.
The governor of Najaf province said the group had gathered in orchards near the city and had been planning to attack the main Shi'ite clerical leadership on Monday. It is the climax of the annual Shi'ite rite of Ashura, marking a 7th century battle which entrenched the schism between Shi'ite and Sunni Islam.
A million or more pilgrims gathered in the holy city of Kerbala, between Najaf and Baghdad, for Monday's ceremonies.
The U.S. military officially handed over responsibility for Najaf province to Iraqi security forces last month, withdrawing most U.S. troops, to be recalled only to help in emergencies.