BBC: US troops battle Kerbala militia (Iraqi Troops involved also )

BBC ^ | Friday, 27 July 2007, 12:54 GMT 13:54 UK | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

US troops battle Kerbala militia

The US military usually stays out of the holy city of Kerbala

Clashes between Shia militiamen and a joint US-Iraqi force have left nine people dead in an Iraqi holy city.

Around 23 people were wounded in the fighting in Kerbala as US and Iraqi troops carried out a pre-dawn raid.

Shooting began as the US-Iraqi force moved in to arrest figures from the Mehdi Army, which is loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.

South-central Iraq has been riven by battles between rival Shia militias and US and Iraqi forces in recent months.

Several civilians were reported to have been killed in the clashes, which saw helicopters called in to support the US troops.

A spokesman for a political group linked to the Mehdi Army told the AFP news agency that three of the dead were fighters from the Shia militia.

The US military, which usually stays out of Kerbala, has not commented on the incident.

Kerbala, 110 km (70 miles) south-west of Baghdad, is the site of one of the holiest shrines for Shia Muslims.

Meanwhile, an American soldier died in a roadside bomb attack in Diyala.

[pissant]

We’ve been racking up the Mahdis as well as the Sunni dirtballs. Good work.

[agere_contra]

Wow. The BBC’s picture made me feel real bad about the Holy City of Kerbala.

[Red_Devil 232]

The BBC’s picture made me feel real bad about the Holy City of Kerbala.

I felt real bad also as the tears started rolling down my cheeks ... then I rememberd I was laughing.

[RolandBurnam]

if I was the writer I would say “an iraqi city, considered holy by...”.

because it ain’t holy to me.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[april15Bendovr]

Reminds me of the crowd that was crying for Michael Jackson when he was on trial for sleeping with children.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks E. I’d be happier if the description becomes “Hole-y City” or “former city”. ;’)

[SunkenCiv]

---

"The United States should not be shooting in this holy city! Ali, hand me that AK-47. And put on this suicide bomber jacket. No, we don't use wine in our services, what are you, an infidel?" [gunshot] (weeping) "Oh, my brother, my brother, Ali, oh, moan, moan, piss and moan, why did you have to dishonor our family and force me to kill you, woe, woe, misery, woe..."

---

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OK....now where did that quote come from?

I know it’s true....

[SunkenCiv]

:’) You’ve heard of monkeys and typewriters? Turns out they haven’t succeeded in writing a Shakespearean play, but have found a lot of success in the Moslem media companies, as well as in the madrassas.

[rfp1234]

[rfp1234]

[1035rep]

bttt

[rfp1234]

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ca/holycity.html

[rfp1234]

[rfp1234]

[Marine_Uncle]

Looks like some HVT msy have been tracked.