US, Iraqi forces surround al-Sadr's home

US occupation troops have surrounded the home of Shia Muslim leader Muqtada al-Sadr in the central Iraqi holy city of Najaf, an AFP correspondent witnessed.


english.aljazeera.net...

An AP bulletin on the event is here:

www.newsday.com...

Iterestingly, their account is a little different.

At least six U.S. military vehicles entered the Zahra area in Najaf near al-Sadr's house, which is protected by his militia, the Mahdi Army, witnesses said.

Heavy gunfire and mortar rounds set cars on fire before Iraqi police intervened and the U.S. forces withdrew, witnesses said.

Note that Aljazeera called this a joint Iraqi government/US operation, AP says it was US troops and Iraqi police intervened.