More fighting, rally in support of al-Sistani

Описание: (19 May 2004)

1. Various of the holy shrine of Imam al-Abbas with deserted street
2. Various of tracking shots showing convoy of US tanks
3. US tanks
4. US jetfighter flying over city
5. Militiaman saying ''Pray to Prophet Mohammed'' then AUDIO of militiamen chanting ''Muqtada, Muqtada''
6. Militiaman carrying Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG)
7. Firing of RPG
8. Smoke in streets
9. Man running across street, gunfire, camera shaking
10. Man hiding in street
11. Militiamen
12. Various of fire in stall
13. Militiamen chanting for radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Commander of al-Mahdi army in Karbala (No name given):
''The US troops tried to storm the city of Imam al-Hussein, but they were unable to do so. We inflicted on the enemy forces heavy losses in men and equipment. And this is a good proof of that. (Holding up magazine.)''
15. Various of Karbala locals demonstrating, condemning the attack on the house of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani
16. Various of demonstration with banners calling for an end to the conflict in Karbala
17. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Demonstrator, one of Sistani followers (No name given):
''In accordance with instructions given by al-Marjaiya (Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani), this demo was organised, protesting the continued bombing by the occupation forces and their clashes with (radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's) al-Mahdi Army.''
18. Demonstration

STORYLINE:

The U.S. military on Wednesday accused Iraqi fighters loyal to a rebel cleric of firing on American forces from one of Shia Islam's holiest shrines.

The militia of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr was operating from the Imam Hussein shrine in the center of Karbala, according to Cptain Noel Gorospe, spokesman for the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division.

The city south of Baghdad has been the scene of heavy fighting since al-Sadr launched an uprising against the U.S.-led coalition last month.

American troops and militiamen fought Wednesday near a militia checkpoint 100 metres (yards) from another holy site in Karbala, the Imam Abbas shrine, witnesses said.

The U.S. military confirmed there was fighting Wednesday, but did not say where.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Daily insurgent attacks centre on Karbala's Mukhaiyam mosque and the surrounding area, which the U.S. military took over in operations last week.

The coalition said Iraqi fighters were using the mosque as a military base, and said it had no intention of relinquishing the mosque until militias leave the town.

Al-Sadr has accused U.S. forces of desecrating shrines in Karbala and another holy city, Najaf. The U.S. military denies the allegations, saying
militiamen have used Muslim holy places as firing positions and storerooms for weapons.

Al-Sadr's militia, called the al-Mahdi Army, could be seen operating on the streets of Karbala on Wednesday, fighting against US forces.

Also on Wednesday, Karbala locals took to the streets for a demonstration they said was organised in accordance with instructions given to them by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, to protest at the violence and bombing.

Al-Sistani is the most influential Shiite cleric in Iraq. On Tuesday he urged both U.S. soldiers and al-Sadr's militia to withdraw from Karbala and Najaf.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...