ONE of the most sacred shrines of Shia Islam was damaged during clashes between US forces and radical Shi’ite militiamen that killed at least 13 Iraqis, some of them civilians.

Parts of one of the most sacred shrines of Shia Islam suffered damage during clashes today between US forces and radical Shiite militiamen that left at least nine people dead.

Hundreds of hard-line students besieged the British Embassy in Tehran today in protest at the occupation of neighbouring Iraq.

A CROWD yesterday hacked to death two leading Islamic clerics in a shrine in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf where rival Shi’ite factions had gathered for talks.