The Hindu : International : Fighting in Kufa renews

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Saturday, May 29, 2004

International

International

Fighting in Kufa renews

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, MAY 28. United States forces and militiamen loyal to the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Al Sadr, have clashed in Kufa, less than 24 hors after both sides agreed to a truce in the neighbouring holy city of Najaf.

At least three people were killed and several others injured in the fighting, which saw fighters from Mr. Al Sadr's Mehdi militia battling U.S. tanks with rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons, near Kufa's main mosque.

Notwithstanding these clashes, the truce in Najaf appeared to be holding, though it was yet to be formalised, Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani, Mr. Al Sadr's representative said.

Mr. Al Sadr in a statement said that he was ready to pull out his forces from Najaf, provided U.S. troops withdrew to their `bases' outside the city simultaneously. But Dan Senor, the spokesman for the U.S. occupation hinted that the pullout of U.S. forces could be delayed.

He pointed out that American troops will withdraw from most of Najaf only once Iraqi security forces re-enter the city and assume control of strategic buildings from Mr. Al Sadr's militia. U.S. troops, after the entry of Iraqi forces, will `reposition' outside the city, he said.

Analysts point out that the truce in Najaf is part of an elaborate U.S. plan to disengage troops from population centres in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys, where they are susceptible to guerilla attacks.

This plan began to unfold with the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah less than a month ago.

U.S. authorities are now reportedly considering redeploying forces along a string of bases, in remote areas, closer to the borders with Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Some of the bases under consideration are Al Muthanna, close to the Saudi Arabian border, Al Qaim and Ninawa facing Syria, along with Basra and Al Kut, which are not far from Iran.

Simultaneously, with efforts to cement the truce, preparations for comprehensive negotiations that will lead to durable peace in the Shia-dominated areas in and around Najaf are under way. Sheikh Mohammed Mussawi, secretary general of the Islamic Action Organisation, which has been involved in behind-the-scenes talks with guerillas, said that Washington had sent a member of the U.S. Congress to take part in these negotiations.

"We believe that (Mr.) Moqtada Sadr will also nominate a negotiator," he said. The Islamic Action Organisation has suggested that the U.N. and British representatives should also take part in these talks.

Mr. Mussawi indicated that the upcoming dialogue is likely to revolve around three key issues.

First, Mr. Al Sadr's representatives are expected to seek an assurance from U.S. authorities that they would not arrest him in connection with the murder of a rival cleric, before the handover of political authority to Iraqis on June 30.

Second, the conversion of the Mehdi Army into a political organisation is also on the agenda. Besides, the composition of a new Iraqi force that will take over security in Najaf is also expected to be debated.

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