|
|
Article: Bad days in Najaf; Iraq.(The battle for Najaf)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- August 14, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Can the new government uphold the rule of law?
BLACK smoke billowed over box-like houses. The rap of gunfire and boom of heavy artillery filled the air. On August 12th, American and Iraqi troops launched what was touted as a final push to recapture Najaf, where the followers of Muqtada al-Sadr, a provocative Shia cleric, had been in open revolt for nearly two weeks. The new Iraqi prime minister, Iyad Allawi, is determined that the Mahdi Army, as Mr Sadr's followers style themselves, should submit to the rule of law. Whether or not he can make them will be a crucial test of his authority.
Mr Allawi has immense firepower at his disposal, but the assault ...