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| Clashes in Baghdad, Najaf kill 43 in 24 hours |
| | www.chinaview.cn 2004-08-08 15:21:32 |
BAGHDAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- At least 43 people have been killed in clashes between US forces and Shiite militiamen in Baghdad and the holy city of Najaf during the past 24 hours, the Iraqi Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The ministry said about 22 people were killed in clashes in Baghdad's mainly Shiite suburb Sadr City and other parts of the capital from 9 a.m. (0500 GMT) Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday. Meanwhile, at least 21 people were killed in similar clashes in Najaf, 160 km south of Baghdad.
"The toll in Najaf is initial because there are still bodies that could not be collected due to the ongoing fighting," an Iraqi official said.
Supporters of radical Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have been fighting against US forces since Thursday in Baghdad and Najaf.
The US military said Friday they had killed 300 of Sadr's Mahdi militiamen in Najaf. However, an aide to Sadr denied that loss, saying that they only lost 36 fighters.
The widespread fighting in Iraq over the last several days, especially in Najaf, has drawn great concerns from the international community.
The United Nations said Saturday that it was ready to help broker a ceasefire between Shiite militiamen and coalition forces in Iraq.
Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi announced at a press conference Saturday that he had invited Sadr to participate in the country's democratic elections in January 2005. Enditem |
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