May 27, 2004 – US forces say they have suspended their offensive against the Shi’ite holy city of Najaf after reportedly killing hundreds of resistance fighters loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, whom they have so far been unable to capture. US spokesperson Dan Senor said the military would halt "offensive operations" as part of a deal with Al-Sadr, which also calls for his Mehdi militia to withdraw from Najaf. Senor added that US troops will "continue to provide security" in the city by carrying out what he called "presence patrols" until an Iraqi force is ready to take over security. The agreement also calls for talks between Al-Sadr and other Shi’ite leaders about the disbanding of the Mehdi Army, and talks with the Iraqi Governing Council about an arrest warrant issued in April against Al-Sadr in connection with the murder last year of another Shi’ite leader. The terms of the truce agreement are similar to those offered by Al-Sadr two weeks ago, just before the US launched its heaviest attacks against Najaf and Karbala, another city Shi’ites consider holy.
