Posted on 09/07/2004 1:45:31 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces battled insurgents loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City on Tuesday, the U.S. military said. At least 33 people were killed and 193 injured in the fighting, Iraqi authorities said.
U.S. Army Capt. Brian O'Malley said several American soldiers have been injured, but that he did provide the exact figure.
The fighting erupted when militants attacked U.S. forces carrying out routine patrols, O'Malley said.
"We just kept coming under fire," he said.
Residents said loud explosions and gunfire could be heard across Sadr City on Monday night and that clashes spilled over into Tuesday morning.
A senior Health Ministry official, said a total of 33 people have been killed and 193 injured in the Sadr City clashes in the past 24 hours.
The renewed fighting came after several days of calm in the impoverished neighborhood after al-Sadr called on his followers last week to end the fighting and announced that he was planning to unveil plans to enter politics.
Al-Sadr led a three-week uprising in the holy city of Najaf that ended 10 days ago with a peace deal that allowed his Mahdi militia fighters to walk away with their guns. The combat in Najaf left thousands dead and devastated much of the city.
Since the Aug. 26 peace accord, many Mahdi militiamen are believed to have returned to their stronghold in Sadr City.
No one can make a collection and display of pics like you do - very vivid and informative. Thanks for posting.
Thank you BlackVeil.
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