U.S. soldiers battle al-Sadr supporters; fighting heaviest in holy city of

[Judi Lynn]

AP-CS-05-12-04 0819EDT


U.S. soldiers battle al-Sadr supporters; fighting heaviest in holy city of Karbala




KARBALA, Iraq (AP) -- U.S. soldiers backed by tanks and helicopters battled fighters loyal to a radical cleric near a mosque in this holy city Wednesday, hours after Iraqi leaders agreed on a proposal that would end his standoff with the U.S.-led forces. As many as 25 insurgents were killed, the coalition said.

The cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, urged fighters in Karbala to resist U.S. troops, comparing their struggle to the Vietnam War.

Half of the Mukhaiyam mosque, which had served as a base for al-Sadr's followers, was destroyed and seven hotels were ablaze after tanks opened fire and jets bombed the area. Most of the shops in Tal al-Zeinabiya, a central market, and three ambulances and two military vehicles also were destroyed.


American troops and al-Sadr's followers also fought overnight on the outskirts of the southern holy cities of Kufa and Najaf, and residents heard large explosions. One Iraqi was killed and four were wounded in Kufa, and four Iraqis were wounded in Najaf, hospital officials said.

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http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2004/05/12/news/breaking_news/28f3001d9d099b1f86256e92004a7e33.txt

[soleft]

1. Hi, Judy, please add your link to this existing thread. Thanks!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x549875