Sadeq: Experience inside Najaf mosque 'fearsome'

[UpInArms]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/08/19/otsc.sadeq/

NAJAF, Iraq (CNN) -- Armed militia loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al- Sadr ignored Iraqi government orders to disarm and leave the Imam Ali Mosque on Thursday as the nation's interim prime minister issued a final call for them to comply.

With U.S. and Iraqi forces surrounding the mosque, CNN producer Kianne Sadeq was allowed inside and later spoke with CNN correspondent John Vause about what she saw.

SADEQ: I just came out of the mosque. When we went in there, it was actually very fearsome. We drove in very carefully with a group of journalists in about a 10-car convoy.

Now, the entire street, about 100 to 150 meters <109 to 164 yards> leading up to the Imam Ali Mosque is completely destroyed. All the shops. I mean, it's completely destroyed.

<snip>

It is just a ghost land. All there is now is a large group of Mehdi Army, which occupies that area. And just before you get there, there are American tanks.

<snip>

VAUSE: What can you tell us about the movement of U.S. forces, the position of snipers around the mosque and the tanks and the U.S. Marines currently deployed in Najaf?

...more...