Iraq's holy cities pose dilemma

Iraq's holy cities pose dilemma

By Sadeq Saba
BBC regional analyst

US forces have been surrounding Iraq's two holy cities of Najaf and Karbala for more than a week.

Najaf is an important place of pilgrimage for Shia Muslims

Iraq's Shia holy cities

But so far they have made no attempt to enter these extremely sensitive places or even hit targets inside them.

It is generally believed that any damage to holy Shia shrines in Karbala and Najaf would inflame the feelings of Muslims worldwide and play into the hands of President Saddam Hussain.

Some reports say that British and American forces have declared the religious sites in these cities non-targets.

'Political challenge'

It is not quite clear why US forces are not making any attempt to enter Najaf and Karbala.

Both cities traditionally opposed the secularist Baath rulers

Is it part of the US military plan not to occupy cities on the route to Baghdad or because of the particular sensitive nature of these religious sites?

The British and Americans are aware that Najaf and Karbala are at the heart of Shia identity and two of their holiest religious figures, Imam Ali and Imam Hussain, are buried in them.

What happens to Najaf and Karbala in the coming days may to some extent determine the attitude of the Iraqi Shia towards the US-led forces.

If US military planners make a deliberate decision not to occupy these sites, forces loyal to President Saddam could turn them into their strongholds for resistance.

But if American forces decide to enter Najaf and Karbala that could run the risk of inflaming the Shia world.

It appears that how to deal with these holy sites is both a difficult military problem and a huge political challenge.