In fact, given the nature of the operation, coalition casualties have been light. (In a battle for Nasiriya with the Ottomans in 1915, the overconfident British, whose supply lines were also stretched thin, lost 500 men.) Iraq has suffered an unknown but far higher number of combat casualties: several hundred Iraqis were reportedly killed in an engagement at Najaf on March 25th-26th.

ECONOMIST: War in Iraq: Off with his head | The

Al-Sadr's statement came after what an aide described as direct talks between al-Sadr's representatives and the Iraqi government in Najaf that started Saturday night.

CNN: Al-Sadr calls off fighting, orders compliance with Iraqi security

Coalition officials said they eventually hope to turn over security in Najaf to Iraqi police, a measure called for by an agreement reached between al-Sadr and other Shiite leaders.

CNN: Police adviser: Snafu in Najaf