Troops gather for showdown with al-Sadr

Troops gather for showdown with al-Sadr

A 2,500-STRONG United States force, backed by tanks and artillery, pushed to the outskirts of the Shiite holy city of Najaf yesterday for a showdown with the radical Shiite cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, whom the coalition has declared it wants to kill or capture.

Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of operations for the US military in Iraq, said the force was being built up for operations that could range from combat to humanitarian assistance.

The move significantly ups the stakes in the standoff with Sadr, who is believed to be holed up in the holy city. An invasion of Najaf would likely cause outrage among the mainstream Shiite community.

But last night it appeared the pressure might be bringing results and that Sadr might offer to disband his militia if asked to do so by senior Shiite clerics.

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Troops gatherfor showdownwith al-Sadr