US digs in for key battle near shrine city of Kerbala

US FORCES in southern Iraq are braced for their biggest battle yet on the road to Baghdad – an expected clash near the Shi’ite holy city of Kerbala with elements of Iraq’s Republican Guard.

After two days of clashes with Iraqi forces as they followed the river Euphrates north toward the Iraqi capital, senior US commanders said they expected a possibly decisive battle near Kerbala, 70 miles from Baghdad, within 48 to 72 hours.

“Kerbala is shaping up to be a key battle,” said Lt Col Paul Grosskruger of the 94th Engineers’ Battalion, attached to the US 3rd Infantry Division. “It’s being reinforced and it’s fairly well defended.”