US troops fight radical cleric's militia

Backed by tanks and helicopters, US soldiers fought fighters loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr early today in the southern holy city of Karbala, witnesses said. Much of the fighting took place near a prominent mosque.

The fighting pitted soldiers of the 1st Armoured Division against al-Sadr’s Al-Mahdi Army militia and lasted for several hours in the Iskan and Jamiya areas of the city. There was no immediate word on casualties.