An article in today’s Independent indicates that there are conflicting accounts of Monday’s battle in Najaf between US-backed Iraqi security forces and a messianic cult called the “Soldiers of Heaven”, which resulted in the deaths of 263 people. Iraqi and Arab news sources say that those killed were tribal Shia pilgrims making their way to Najaf to celebrate Ashoura when the tribe’s leader and his wife were fired upon at a checkpoint. As fighting between the tribe and Iraqi security forces escalated, more and more groups joined in – a story that contradicts English-language accounts of Monday’s battle. Patrick Cockburn is in Baghdad, he authored today’s piece in the Independent.