Naseer Al-Nahr, Arab News

BAGHDAD, 13 May 2004 — Rebel Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr vowed yesterday to carry on fighting as US soldiers backed by tanks and helicopters battled his fighters near a mosque in Karbala, hours after Iraqi leaders agreed on a proposal that would end his standoff with the US-led forces. As many as 25 Mehdy Army fighters were killed, the US coalition said.

Sadr urged fighters in Karbala to resist US troops, comparing their struggle to the Vietnam War.

“We are ready for any US escalation and don’t expect otherwise from the American occupation,” he said at a press conference. “My desire is to die a martyr in this country.”

But Sadr insisted he was peace-loving and asked Americans to understand his desire for independence for his country.

“If you were in my place you would do the same, fight the occupation, kick them out, fight for independence,” he said.

Half of the Mukhaiyam Mosque, which had served as a base for Sadr’s followers, was destroyed and seven hotels were ablaze after tanks opened fire and jets bombed the area. Most of the shops in Tal Al-Zeinabiya, a central market, and three ambulances and two military vehicles also were destroyed.

Fighting subsided by dusk as the call for evening prayers spread across the city.

American troops and Sadr’s followers also fought overnight on the outskirts of Kufa and Najaf, and residents heard large explosions. One Iraqi was killed and four were wounded in Kufa, and four Iraqis were wounded in Najaf, hospital officials said.

The new US-appointed governor of Najaf, Adnan Al-Zurufi, said yesterday he believed his American backers will give another week to efforts to find a peaceful end to the standoff in Najaf before resolving it by force.