IRAQ: MORE GUN BATTLES IN KERBALA

Record ID: 377147

  • Title: IRAQ: MORE GUN BATTLES IN KERBALA
  • Date: 17th May 2004
  • Summary: (W5) KERBALA, IRAQ (MAY 17, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF MILITIAMEN LOYAL TO SHI'ITE CLERIC MOQTADA AL-SADR, CARRYING ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADES (RPGs) IN FRONT OF HOLY IMAM ABBAS SHRINE 0.05 2. CLOSE OF ARMED MILITIAMEN AIMING RIFLES 0.10 3. SLV MILITIAMEN IN STREET (AUDIO OF GUNFIRE) 0.23 4. VARIOUS OF GUNBATTLE/CAMERA OPERATOR A
  • Embargoed: 1st June 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KERBALA, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA2KNVRNG183STI8FPRP63BA1GQ
  • Story Text: U.S. troops in Iraq's holy city of Kerbala have
    clashed with fighters loyal to the radical Shi'ite cleric
    Moqtada al-Sadr.



    There were renewed clashes in the holy Iraqi city
    of Kerbala on Monday (May 17, 2004) between fighters loyal to
    rebel Shi'ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr and U.S. troops.

    Mortars and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) were fired
    at the U.S. base at the entrance to the city.

    Hospital officials said at least one Iraqi was killed
    and five others wounded in fighting close to the Imam
    Hussein and Imam Abbas shrines.

    The violence follows a demonstration in Kerbala on
    Sunday (May 16) when more than 1,000 people took part,
    protesting at the continuing U.S.-led occupation.

    U.S.-led forces have been trying to drive al-Sadr's men
    from several cities in southern Iraq over the past two
    weeks.

    U.S. commanders say they are constrained, particularly
    in Kerbala and around al-Sadr's main base in Najaf, by
    efforts to avoid damaging sacred sites, where fighters are
    taking refuge.

    On Friday (May 14), however, tanks stormed onto holy
    ground in Najaf's sprawling ancient cemetery for the first
    time.

    While impatient with al-Sadr, a young firebrand with a
    strong following among impoverished young men in the
    majority Shi'ite community, Iraqi political and religious
    leaders are also concerned at U.S. military infiltration
    into the holy cities.

    The Iraqi Islamic Party, a Sunni Muslim group
    represented on the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council,
    issued a statement on Sunday calling on U.S. troops to
    "abandon the military solution" and pull out of Najaf and
    Kerbala.


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