Shi'ite uprising surprises coalition

ALLIED troops fought bloody battles against an enemy they did not expect in Iraq yesterday Shi'ites who were downtrodden during Saddam Hussein's brutal regime.

Firebrand Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, wanted for murder, urged his followers to go on an anti- American crusade and they heeded his call.

Three British soldiers were injured none seriously in overnight fighting with al-Sadr's followers in the southern town of Amarah. The gun battles left 15 Iraqis dead and eight wounded, said coalition spokesman Wun Hornbyckle.