U.S. marines in tense Najaf standoff

[bemildred]

Oops, now it's war again.

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. marines and a radical Iraqi cleric are locked in a tense standoff after the firebrand leader refused to leave a holy shrine in Najaf despite earlier agreeing to disarm his militia and withdraw.

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"I don't think we can trust al-Sadr. I think we have to see action, not just words," National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice told Fox News on hearing of the deal.

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In Baghdad, witnesses said a U.S. helicopter attacked positions soon after dawn in a poor Shi'ite Muslim suburb that is a Sadr powerbase. A large explosion in the area sent plumes of black smoke into the air, though the cause was unclear.

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Iraq's Defence Ministry ordered them to lay down their weapons and leave their sanctuary in the country's holiest Shi'ite shrine immediately. They would then be granted an amnesty, the ministry said.

ReutersUK

[WMliberal]

1. "tense" standoff

gotta love the press's sexed up adjectives. OF COURSE THE GD STANDOFF IS TENSE!!!!!!! has anyone ever heard of a calm and relaxed standoff?

[physioex]

2. Bwahahahahahah....

I hate to say this but the US Military and Leaders are being played for fools. Sadr definitely holds the advantage and everyone knows it. Saddam was smart not to mess with Najaf, too bad the same can't be said for our civilian leadership.....

[leftchick]

3. al_Sadr...." I don't think we can trust the Americans"....

Brilliant condi... :eyes: