Fierce fighting reported around Najaf shrine

Fierce fighting was reported around Najaf’s holy shrine today after a rebel cleric’s aide rejected a government ultimatum for Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia to disarm or risk a massive offensive.

Sheik Aws al-Khafaji, the head of al-Sadr’s office in the southern city of Nasiriyah, said the ultimatum proved the government “wants only war.”

Al-Khafaji appeared to be speaking on his own behalf and not in al-Sadr’s name. Other aides holed up with the cleric in the holy city of Najaf appealed to the government to negotiate and end to the violence there.

Al-Khafaji also said that al-Sadr did not have the authority to disband his Mahdi Army militia or to force his followers to give up their arms.

He called on the government to force all other factions in the country to disarm.

Earlier, a series of mortar rounds hit the police headquarters in Najaf. Hospital officials said policemen were killed.

The police station has been the frequent target of attacks by al-Sadr’s militia.

Hospital officials said the blast killed at least seven policemen and wounding 31 others.