Necef Becomes Ghost Town as Civilians Flee

Civilians fled Najaf because of the attacks, turning the city into a ghost town according to some reporters. In addition, demonstrators held protests in Basra and Bagdat (Baghdad). Half of the City Council members resigned from their positions in order to participate in the protests against the US-led operation.

Iraqi Defense Minister Hazim Shalan meanwhile said that the operations will continue until the Sadr militia leave the Tomb. Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi reiterated his call for the militia to lay down their arms and join the political process of the country.

165 people lost their lives in the past 24 hours of fighting in Iraq. The violent clashes also pushed the price of crude oil to another record, as it hit US$45.55 per barrel yesterday.

The oil pipeline in southern Iraq was shut down yesterday because Sadr had threatened to sabotage the pipeline and production facilities in southern Iraq if Americans entered Najaf. The closure of the pipeline meant that shipments to Basra, which normally receives 80,000 barrel/h, were halved. Iraq has lost nearly US$60 million due to sabotage against oil pipelines.

On the other side, while the fighting in Najaf entered its second week, US Army Major David Holahan announced a major offensive was launched yesterday to suppress the rebellion. Holahan reported that the American forces will lay siege to the Imam Ali tomb, the Shiite cemetery, as well as old Najaf.

At the crack of dawn yesterday, the city awoke to the sounds of explosions as 2,000 US troops and 800 Iraqi troops began their march on the city. The troops called upon civilians to leave the area. While explosions rattled the buildings next to the Tomb, thousands of US troops with tanks and other armored vehicles entered the city from the north.

Because Najaf is home to the Imam Ali tomb and Mosque, Shiite Muslims regard Najaf as the third holiest city after Makkah (Mecca) and Madina.