Will the US military launch an assault on Najaf?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Sadr says "no compromise" as Shiite religious leaders warn US troops
Wanted firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr said there could be "no compromise" with the US-led coalition, as Iraq (news - web sites)'s highest Shiite religious authorities warned US troops not to enter the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

Sadr appeared in public for the first time in two weeks at Kufa's grand mosque on the outskirts of Najaf warning US forces massed in a desert area nearby that they are "forbidden" to enter Shiite holy cities.

"We will not allow the forces of occupation to enter Najaf and the holy sites because they are forbidden places for them," said Sadr in a fiery sermon. As Sadr spoke, scores of his banned Mehdi Army militiamen milled outside brandishing Kalashnikov assault rifles and missile launchers.

Meanwhile, a representative of Grand Ayotallah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's most senior Shiite cleric, warned coalition troops against entering the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf calling them "red lines."
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040416/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_najaf_shiites_040416154057

This is your chance to get out your crystal ball and predict the future.
Will the US military launch an assault on Najaf?

[bedtimeforbonzo]

1. more like a pogram

but that wasn't an option, so yes.

[revcarol]

2. I voted yes,

but I hope to God, no.

[ewagner]

3. Yes, because

they ARE THAT STUPID

[MrSlayer]

4. Yes.

And even more hell will break loose.

[HornBuckler]

5. U Can Bank On It!

How Ugly Can It Get? A Lot Uglier, I'm Afraid.

[Junkdrawer]

6. Their MO is to do these things late Friday night after the Saturday...

headlines are set.

[Disturbed]

7. The Mass Uprising

If the US Troops enter this city the mass uprising of
the Shi'ites will be unleashed.

All out resistance will be the result.

The Holy War that Bushco is advocating will go in
overdrive!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. hmm, no attack yet...

[acmavm]

8. Absolutely, because there is no rational person in the maladministration

to tell them that to do so is suicide.

[Cocoa]

10. I would say no

because it seems so obviously huge a mistake, but every time I think this they surprise me. So I voted yes.

[keithyboy]

11. You bet, isn't this a 'crusade?'

The Bush regime has no shame, no integrity.