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Violence Flares as Sistani Returns to Najaf

Shiite gunmen in Najaf abandon a cease-fire with U.S. forces, as revered Shiite leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani returns to the city. Thousands of Sistani's supporters march to Najaf, many cheering the militia's cause. Attacks in Kufa and Najaf kill dozens of marchers. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Copyright 2004 NPR

Ivan Watson
Ivan Watson is currently based in Istanbul, Turkey. Following the 9-11 terrorist attacks, he has served as one of NPR's foreign "firemen," shuttling to and from hotspots around the Middle East and Central Asia.