by Jay Deshmukh
NAJAF, Iraq, Aug 23 (AFP) - The gangs of Kalashnikov-wielding Shiite militiamen usually seen patrolling around the Imam Ali shrine were scarce on the streets of Najaf Monday, although commanders insisted it was merely a change of tactics.
Al-Sadeq Street, just outside the shrine, had been teeming with turbaned gunmen over the past 20 days of intense fighting with US troops.
But on Monday the road was virtually deserted with only small groups of fighters huddled in a few corners.
Some of the fighters were even unarmed and sitting together by the roadside.
Outside the shrine, there was hardly any presence of US armour. Until Sunday tanks were stationed just 200 metres (yards) from the mausoleum, virtually in the line of fire of the Mehdi Army.
Sadr's top aides denied that the militiamen were leaving the shrine, saying the move was part of a new strategy adopted after a heavy overnight clash with US forces.
"The war has developed and the Mehdi Army is now better organised and using concealment as a tactic. It is not run randomly any more," said Sadr's spokesman Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani.
Militiamen insisted their ranks were still swelling, with new recruits joining every day.
They said US tanks had pulled back after heavy clashes overnight, giving them time to breathe after weeks of fighting.
"We haven't gone anywhere. We now number in the hundreds and are present all over, albeit unseen," said 27-year-old Ali Muttawa, brandishing a machine gun.
"You are seeing less Mehdi Army soldiers because they are all in strategic positions. We are changing our tactics," said Muttawa, sitting on a corner of Al-Sadeq street with four other fighters.
He said the US tanks had pulled back at least a kilometre (more than half a mile).
"Because of this, we have time to rework our plans. And many of us are also resting after weeks of continous fighting."
During the overnight clashes, a hole one metre (more than three feet) across was punched into the outer wall of the shrine compound, scattering debris across the marble floor.
Sadr supporters said it had been caused by a missile fired by a US helicopter, although the US military denied it had targeted the shrine.
"It was around 11:00 pm to 11:30 pm (between 1900 and 1930 GMT). Two rockets were fired from an American Apache. One hit the western wall of the shrine and the other a nearby hotel," said Sadr official Sheikh Ali Hussein Ali.
The hotel is a known resting place for Mehdi Army commanders.
Despite the low profile being kept by US armour, snipers remained all around the shrine compound Monday morning, picking off any militiaman who dared to venture out in the open on Al-Sadeq Street to reach the shrine.
Sidestreets leading to the compound were largely deserted and only a handful of militiamen manned the occasional checkpoint.
Yusef Mohammed, a 23-year-old from Najaf, was one.
"I joined the (Mehdi) Army just eight days ago and would definitely say that our numbers are increasing," said Mohammed, adding that he was part of a specialist unit equipped with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
"We've been giving the American tanks and armoured cars a tough time and pushed them back again last night.
"You may feel we are few in number, but our attacks are effective.
"We have a will to fight and die for Islam. They have modern weapons but spirit is the true strength."