US marines take center of Najaf, protests erupt

U.S. marines backed by tanks and aircraft seized the heart of the holy Iraqi city of Najaf on Thursday in a major assault on Shi'ite rebels, but they kept out of a site sacred to millions of Shi'ites around the world.


Warplanes and Apache helicopters pounded militia positions in a cemetery near the Imam Ali Mosque, igniting protests in at least two other cities as an uprising that has killed hundreds across southern and central Iraq entered its second week.


The assault against the Mehdi Army of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and growing anger among the majority Shi'ite community could spark a firestorm for interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi should holy sites be damaged or the death toll escalate.


Thick black smoke poured into the sky as helicopters skimmed mud-brick rooftops in the heart of Najaf. Soon after midday, marines controlled the city center and had blocked entry to the mosque, one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest sites, a witness said.


more
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-08/12/content_364888.htm

major combat operations are over. Kerry best start making some ads with whistleass in the bunny suit soon.

That's about as big as Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Much larger than I had thought.

I don't know one way or another about the reliability of Chinanews as a whole.

nm