Fighting flares in Najaf, Kufa

KUFA, Iraq – Fighting and mortar attacks against U.S. targets in the holy cities of Najaf and Kufa continued Wednesday.

At least four Iraqis were killed and 36 injured, hospital officials said. No U.S. casualties were reported.

Fighting erupted around dusk when U.S. tanks approached the Kufa mosque, controlled by dozens of militiamen loyal to Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Gunfire and bombing sent nearby residents fleeing, witnesses said.

A spokesman for Shiite leaders attempting to negotiate a settlement accused U.S. forces of violating the cease-fire by attacking the mosque.

“The current events clearly show that the occupation forces are not sticking by their commitment to the cease-fire,” said Heider Sufi, spokesman for the House of Shia in Najaf. “We hold the occupation forces responsible for these casualties.” U.S. military officials said three teams of tanks and armored vehicles approached the Kufa mosque to inspect a nearby school suspected of being a base for mortar attacks against American troops.

Tanks approaching the school quickly came under small-arms fire, and returned fire with .50-caliber machine guns and other weapons.

“We drew their fire, and we returned it,” said Capt. Brandon Payne, 28, commander of the operation. “Every time we go out, we pick away at (the enemy’s) defenses.” The street leading to the mosque quickly cleared of pedestrians and traffic as buildings began spitting dust and bricks under the attack. Some Iraqis a few blocks away came out to watch the half-hour fight.

U.S. soldiers were ordered to avoid firing at the mosque.

Later, the three teams approached the Kufa mosque from the opposite direction in an attempt to draw insurgent fire. Militants attacked with rocket-propelled grenades, small arms and mortars as U.S. vehicles wound between mud-and-brick walls and palm groves. Soldiers said insurgents were using the mosque’s minarets to guide mortar attacks.

The battle was fought in fits and starts, with soldiers stepping outside their vehicles to chat while others chased attackers. One mortar shell landed approximately 100 feet from a military vehicle, but no U.S. troops were injured.

In a separate incident, the U.S. military base between Najaf and Kufa came under mortar attack. A mortar shell also landed in a stadium near the base, causing the military to temporarily cancel a weapons buy-back program at the facility.

The U.S. military said radar analysis identified the area nearby from where the mortar shells were launched, and tanks and soldiers were deployed to investigate.

Iraqi police officers, who are expected to begin joint patrols with U.S. soldiers in Najaf, warned residents against carrying guns.

“Any person carrying weapons in Najaf will be shot,” said Najaf Police Chief Ghalib Jazierie.