38 killed in fierce clashes in Iraq
Monday, 28 Apr 2008 15:05
38 killed in fierce clashes in Iraq
Iraq In Focus
Turmoil in Iraq has dominated news headlines since Saddam Hussein's statue toppled in Baghdad nearly four years ago. Full Story
Fierce fighting between Shia Muslim militiamen and US and Iraqi forces in east Baghdad have killed at least 38 people, the American military said today.
Sunday's heaviest fighting in weeks came on a day when militiamen blasted Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone with rockets and mortars, taking advantage of a dust storm that stopped US forces using their attack helicopters.
The biggest clash in the day-long battles came yesterday evening when "a large group of criminals engaging with small-arms fire" attacked a security force checkpoint, a US military statement said.
"US soldiers used 120 mm fire from M1A12 Abrams tanks and small-arms fire to kill ... 22 criminals, forcing remaining enemy forces present to retreat," the military said.
At about the same time, seven fighters who ambushed a patrol were killed by US troops.
Other gunmen died in various skirmishes during the day when troops retaliated after being attacked with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, the military said.