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.

An apparent car bomb exploded near an hotel in central Baghdad today, and a US military officer said five Iraqis were injured, one critically.

An explosion was heard in central Baghdad today, and there were reports of casualties. Smoke rose from an area in the city’s Jadiriyah district.