Active Visitors: 316 Total Hits: 17490999 Since June, 2007
Fighting rages in Baghdad
Baghdad—Fierce fighting raged on Tuesday as US and Iraqi forces
battled heavily armed Shiite militiamen in their Baghdad bastion of
Sadr City for a third straight day, an AFP correspondent and
witnesses said.
Witnesses said fierce clashes erupted Tuesday as American tanks
attempted to push into Sadr City.
They were met by fighters of the Mahdi Army militia of radical
cleric Moqtada al-Sadr armed with rockets, mortars and
rocket-propelled grenades, witnesses said.
“We did not sleep all night because of the heavy fire,” said Mustafa
Mohammed, a resident of the sprawling eastern Baghdad district of
some two million people.
“My baby was screaming. My grandmother is sick and I wasn’t able to
take her to hospital because I’m under seige. We just can’t move as
our house is on the frontline.”
Mohammed said many families have left their homes and are staying
with relatives deeper inside the Sadr City district.
An AFP correspondent said fighting broke out around midnight as
Mahdi Army fighters deployed along minor roads after planting bombs
on the main routes to halt the advance of the American and Iraqi
forces.
US helicopters could be seen hovering above the vast neighbourhood,
and loud explosions were heard.
More than 30 people have been killed in Sadr City since the fighting
broke out in earnest on Sunday.
Iraqi and US forces have been engaged in fierce clashes with the
Mahdi Army since Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered a crackdown
on Shiite militiamen last month.
On Monday, Maliki warned the Sadr group that it would be banned from
participating in elections unless the militia is disbanded.—AFP
For any query, complaint or suggestion regarding website please
feel free to email at::
webmaster@pakobserver.net
