Global News Portfolio: Iraq: Iraq Rebuilding: 01182013_Becherer_IraqDawn009

Shiite worshipers perform the evening prayer at the holy shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq on Thursday January 6, 2010. In 2004 Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army took over the shrine and fought American forces in the city in a bloody battle. Residents of the city have mixed feelings about al-Sadr's return. Anti-American cleric al-Sadr led Shiite resistance fighters against the American-led forces in several bloody battles before fleeing into exile in Iran over four years ago. His return to Iraq is being welcomed by his supporters.
Najaf, Iraq

Shiite worshipers perform the evening prayer at the holy shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq on Thursday January 6, 2010. In 2004 Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army took over the shrine and fought American forces in the city in a bloody battle. Residents of the city have mixed feelings about al-Sadr's return. Anti-American cleric al-Sadr led Shiite resistance fighters against the American-led forces in several bloody battles before fleeing into exile in Iran over four years ago. His return to Iraq is being welcomed by his supporters.