April 18, 2004
Najaf
Via Juan Cole
The negotiations between Muqtada al-Sadr and the Coalition ceased on Saturday, and it looked to some observers on the ground as though a US attack on Najaf might begin any moment.Posted by Norwood at April 18, 2004 02:28 PMQais al-Khaz'ali, a spokesman for Muqtada, said that the negotiators alleged that the US had made demands that formed insuperable obstacles to the talks, and that as a result tensions were escalating. He added, "We expect the American forces to assault the city of Najaf at any moment." Gunfire was heard in the northeast of the city, in the area known as Bahr al-Najaf, where it appears that American troops have gathered in strength.
Al-Khaz'ali said, "We are prepared for a confrontation, and we believe that this attack will represent the zero hour for the launching of a massive popular revolution."
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