AP: U.S., Iraqi Forces Clash With Insurgents (Mahdi Army)

[Eugene]

U.S., Iraqi Forces Clash With Insurgents

The Associated Press
Sunday, October 8, 2006; 6:04 AM

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. and Iraqi forces fought militiamen early Sunday
in Diwaniyah, a southern city under the increasing influence of the
Madhi Army loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Twenty
militia fighters were killed, the U.S. military said.

The clashes broke out after a joint U.S.-Iraqi unit raided the house
of Kifah al-Greiti, a Mahdi Army commander, said Iraqi Army Capt.
Fatiq Ayed.

Three teams of militiamen, armed with rocket-propelled grenades,
opened fire on U.S. soldiers and damaged an M1A2 Abrams tank, the
U.S. command said. No coalition forces were hurt.

-snip-

Fighting could be seen in two neighborhoods and heavy explosions could
be heard through the night. An Associated Press reporter saw U.S. soldiers
sealing off roads to the city after dawn in an apparent attempt to keep
the insurgents from bringing reinforcements.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/08/AR2006100800146.html

[Pachamama]

1. I think things are about to go from really bad to worse...

I have a bad feeling that all the recent increase in violence and deaths in Iraq are just the beginning of the situation there becoming so bad that the casualties will be unthinkable in their numbers...

:cry:

[izzie]

2. Bush must be out of his mind. Can he beat them before the vote?

Shall he stay down until we vote or shall he hit them hard? All these 'very hard' things to think of. Poor man.

[Eugene]

3. BBC: Battle rages in Shia Iraqi town

Last Updated: Sunday, 8 October 2006, 13:41 GMT 14:41 UK

Battle rages in Shia Iraqi town

US and Iraqi troops have killed 30 suspected Shia militants during heavy
clashes in the southern Iraqi city of Diwaniya, the US military has said.

The fighting erupted as troops went in to arrest a militant responsible
for earlier killings, they said.

It is not clear whether militants loyal to cleric Moqtada Sadr were involved.
Rebels said only three were wounded.

Elsewhere, police in Baghdad said they had found the bodies of 51 people
who had been abducted, tortured and killed.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4801705.stm