Thousands Stream to Najaf (Juan Cole)

[Barrett808]

Thousands of Shiites are streaming toward Najaf in hopes of forming a human shield around Muqtada al-Sadr, according to al-Hayat. Many have already gathered at the gates to the old city in Najaf and around the shrine of Imam Ali.

In the meantime, the Allawi government says it intends to send an Iraqi military force into the shrine of Ali after Muqtada al-Sadr and his militiamen, according to al-Sharq al-Awsat. Allawi should be careful. A colleague of mine was reminded of a similarity between the current situation and the Indian government raid on the Sikh Golden Temple in 1984. That invasion of holy space arguably led to the assassination of Indira Gandhi and prolonged civil instability in the Punjab.

...

A big convoy of aid arrived in Najaf from Fallujah, and the Sunni clerics and clan elders who brought it met with Shiite clergymen in Najaf on Saturday, expressing their solidarity with the city in the face of the American assault.

Muqtada and his spokesmen called for a United Nations investigation into the American attack on Najaf, and for a UN force to take control of the Shiite holy city.

(more)

http://www.juancole.com/2004_08_01_juancole_archive.html#109255211607047697

[leftchick]

1. that chimpy* is a uniter...

for now at least....

<A big convoy of aid arrived in Najaf from Fallujah, and the Sunni clerics and clan elders who brought it met with Shiite clergymen in Najaf on Saturday, expressing their solidarity with the city in the face of the American assault.>

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Great pics of the Shiites heading for (and occupying) Imam Ali shrine

Click here-> http://www.karbalanews.net/artc.php?id=925

(...linked from Professor Cole's blog)

[Gregorian]

3. Unbelievable, what they've had to endure.

Just imagine growing up there. Anyone under the age of 16 knows nothing but sanctions and war. I swear this has aged me.
Let's just hope they make something out of this. I suppose our army will just go elsewhere.

[mom cat]

4. These are really beautiful pictures. Thanks for the link.

:thumbsup:

[Gloria]

5. Yes, I posted an article last week about the head of the militia

in Fallujah. He was part of Saddams old Republican Guard and isn't afraid having his name out in the open. He was sending people down to help train those in Najaf. The militia in Fallujah was much better equipped and trained, apparently, so they were being sent to bolster the training in Najaf. In Najaf, they only have some RPGs and the Russian rifles (starts with a K, I can't spell it...Kar......)

The article is archived at Buzzflash in the Media Watch archives...