Iraqi Cleric's Forces Broaden Assaults

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11228-2004May8.html

BAGHDAD, May 8 -- Shiite Muslim militiamen loyal to radical cleric Moqtada Sadr attacked coalition positions in two southern cities Saturday, broadening their assault beyond their headquarters in Najaf where U.S. forces have been battering them for four days.

Hundreds of black-clad guerrillas assaulted British positions and public buildings in Basra and in Amarah with rifle and grenade fire. Youths set fires to obscure the vision of charging British troops.

The attacks appeared aimed at relieving pressure on Sadr's forces in Najaf and demonstrating that the group has power to launch a general insurrection in Shiite areas of Iraq.

U.S. troops, for the first time during this week's offensive, brought their battle against Sadr to Sadr City, a vast slum in Baghdad that is home to the cleric's largest base of support. In a quick thrust Saturday night, the troops raided the small al-Amer mosque searching for weapons. U.S. soldiers traded gunfire with guerrillas hidden in the dark as Apache attack helicopters hovered overhead.

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