Clerics Urge End to Clashes Between U.S. and Rebels

[CShine]

KARBALA, Iraq, May 21 — Hundreds of worshipers poured into two holy Shiite shrines here on Friday to hear clerics demand an end to continuing clashes between American forces and insurgents loyal to the rebel cleric Moktada al-Sadr. The clerics called for the withdrawal of fighters from both sides but carefully avoided singling out either the Americans or Mr. Sadr's militia, the Mahdi Army.

The Americans had in fact already retreated from the city center earlier Friday. American commanders said the military had left downtown Karbala to allow local leaders to reach an "Iraqi solution" to the standoff with Mr. Sadr's forces.

As they pulled back, starting just after midnight, fierce battles erupted, leaving at least 21 insurgents dead, many near this city's holiest shrines, according to Col. Peter R. Mansoor, commander of the First Brigade of the First Armored Division. On Friday afternoon, he added, the police chief of Karbala said scores of Mahdi fighters had been killed.

Mr. Sadr, who lives in the nearby holy city of Najaf, has been leading a six-week revolt against the occupation forces. Some of the bloodiest fighting has occurred over the last two-and-a-half weeks in downtown Karbala. Entire city blocks have been ruined. More than 120 Iraqis have been killed in all. Insurgents, including a very skilled sniper, have killed 4 American soldiers and wounded at least 52 others.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/22/international/middleeast/22KARB.html