© 2026 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our daily newsletter, delivered first thing weekdays, keeps you connected to your community with news, culture, national NPR headlines, and more.

Fighting Between U.S. and Shiite Militias Subsides in Najaf

NPR's Philip Reeves reports from Baghdad on the situation in the Shiite Muslim holy city of Najaf, which has calmed down considerably in the wake of several weeks of fighting between U.S. forces and militias loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The cleric is keeping a low profile, and most Najaf residents are much more concerned about the economy and the notoriously insecure highway that links their city to the Iraqi capital.

Copyright 2004 NPR

Philip Reeves
Philip Reeves is an award-winning international correspondent covering South America. Previously, he served as NPR's correspondent covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.
Thanks to you, WUSF is here — delivering fact-based news and stories that reflect our community.⁠ Your support powers everything we do.