By Matt Hurley for the TIB Network:
This is CNN:
Black smoke wafted through the skies over Najaf on Thursday as the U.S. military launched a major offensive to crush the resistance led by Iraqi militants loyal to renegade Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
Calling the operation a critical test for the interim government, Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman Sabah Kadhim said fierce fighting is taking place around the sacred Imam Ali Mosque in the city center, with Iraqi forces taking the lead in that area.
"There is intensive fighting going on, surrounding holy places in Najaf. The Iraqi forces -- that is, the police and the national guard -- are heading this operation supported by multinational forces aircraft," Kadhim said. "They are under strict instruction that only Iraqi forces will enter the holy places."
This is a smart move on the part of the Iraqis; keep the American muscle close, yet the attention will be on them in regards to the mosques. This is exactly the play that should have been called. Let's hope they have the will to finish it and take Mookie up on his offer to spill his last drop of blood...the guy is a menace and a puppet of the Mad Mullahs of Iran.
John Kerry Delenda Est!
