Iraq rebels shaken by US offensive By Toby Harnden in Baghdad (Filed: 28/04/2004) American forces went on the offensive in Iraq yesterday, killing dozens of Shia militiamen near the holy city of Najaf and bombarding Sunni insurgents in the restive city of Fallujah. US commanders said 64 Shia fighters were killed in the engagement near Najaf, which occurred as American soldiers replaced departing Spanish troops. An anti-aircraft position manned by men loyal to the rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was blown up in the action, which began on Monday afternoon between Najaf and the nearby town of Kufa. Last night the...