Source:
MSNBCAmerican aircraft launch strikes in Basra; troops battle militia in Baghdad
MSNBC staff and news service reports
updated 27 minutes ago
BAGHDAD - U.S. forces were drawn deeper into Iraq’s four day-old crackdown on Shiite militants on Friday, launching air strikes in Basra for the first time and battling militants in Baghdad.
U.S. forces taking a larger role
Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported Friday that U.S. troops appeared to be taking the lead in the fighting in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City, with Iraqi army and police units largely remaining on the outskirts.
A correspondent with the newspaper reported that four U.S. Stryker armored vehicles rumbled through Sadr City, one of them engaging militiamen with the Mahdi Army, which is loyal to al-Sadr, with heavy fire.
The newspaper said that American forces were involved in about a dozen gun battles on Thursday in Baghdad alone, with clashes spread across six neighborhoods.
Vice president's office struck
Lubna al-Hashemi, the daughter of Vice President al-Hashemi, said at least five guards were injured when rockets or mortars hit the courtyard outside her father's offices in Baghdad.
Read more:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23788065
The Mahdi militia stands no chance against US troops but their increased involvement means we are back in it deep and the Iraqi military couldn't hand it.
What did Cronkite say that one time?