Iraqi forces preparing to attack Najaf's holy shrine

Iraqi govrnment forces could raid Najaf’s holy Imam Ali Shrine today in a final push to root out the Shiite militants hiding out there, said Defence Minister Hazem Shaalan.

“Today is a day to set this compound free from its imprisonment and its vile occupation,” Shaalan told the Arab-language television station Al-Arabiya.

Militants loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have been fighting US forces in the holy city of Najaf for nearly two weeks.

The militants have taken refuge in the shrine compound, from where they launch some of their attacks on the Americans.

State Minister Qassim Dawoud said the planned raid on the shrine would send a message to insurgents throughout the country.

“This will be a civilised lesson for those in Fallujah, Samarra, Mosul, Yusufiyah or Basra. Their is no lenience ... with those people,” he said.