CNN.com – Sources: Al-Sadr supporters take over Najaf – Apr 6, 2004
Supporters of maverick Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr controlled government, religious and security buildings in the holy city of Najaf early Tuesday evening, according to a coalition source in southern Iraq.
The source said al-Sadr’s followers controlled the governor’s office, police stations and the Imam Ali mosque, one of Shia Muslim’s holiest shrines.
Sadr isn’t stupid. He’s trying to bait the U.S. forces into attacking the second holiest Shiite shrine. If they do, it may inspire a full Shiite uprising. Seems to be what Sadr wants.