Najaf: Civilians need help

2004-08-25 11:05

Najaf - Medics inside Najaf's Imam Ali shrine, where United States troops trapped Shiite Muslim militiamen in a pincer-like movement on Wednesday, launched a desperate appeal to the Iraqi government for medical relief.

At least 30 patients with serious injuries needed to be evacuated immediately from the shrine's makeshift clinic, which lacks both surgeons and blood supplies, if they are to survive, doctors said.

Dozens of other wounded civilians are also feared trapped in nearby houses in the neighbourhood. They cannot even be brought to the shrine for basic medical attention for fear of US sniper and artillery fire.

Urgent appeal

"This is an urgent appeal to the ministry of health. We are asking you to send medical relief to the Old City of Najaf because there are many civilians, women and children, who need help," said doctor Hussein Ali.

"We have two vehicles, but one them was shot. We are now down to one ambulance but we can't even drive it because the police chief told us not to leave the shrine," said ambulance driver Qazem Mohammed.

As they spoke, a large explosion, one of many very close to the compound, shattered the glass ceiling of part of the prayer room where most of the wounded were laid out under fans, moaning in pain on blood-stained blankets.

"I was wounded in the neighbourhood last night when the Americans used tank shells and cluster bombs against our positions. I have serious wounds in my leg, chest, back and arm," said 24-year-old Abbas Fadel, from Baghdad.

"I don't know how long I can stick it out if they don't take me to a proper hospital, God willing," he added.

- AFP