Heavy gunfire in battle for holy city

Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard today in the holy city of Karbala, where American troops are battling fighters loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Black smoke rose near the Imam Hussein shrine, one of the most sacred sites of Shia Islam.

Fighting also raged near the city’s Imam Abbas shrine. American forces are concerned that any damage to the shrine could trigger rage against them by Shiite Muslims who are not involved in the conflict.

Thick smoke wafted over the golden dome of the Imam Hussein shrine. Witness said the smoke came from a power generator that had been set afire.

American forces were west and south of the Imam Hussein shrine, while al-Sadr’s militiamen were regrouping in alleyways north of the shrine.

US tanks, helicopters and jets yesterday attacked al-Sadr’s fighters in Karbala, partially destroying a mosque that insurgents had used as a base.

American forces killed 22 militants, and six coalition soldiers were wounded, US Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said in Baghdad. Four of the soldiers returned to duty.

In central Baghdad today, insurgents fired two mortar rounds. The first fell near the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, breaking glass in an adjacent building. The ICRC withdrew most foreign staff from Iraq after a deadly blast at its Baghdad headquarters last year.

The second mortar shell fell on top of a building in the crowded Karrada district, injuring one person and breaking windows in nearby shops.

A bomb exploded beside a US military convoy in Baghdad, killing one soldier and injuring another yesterday.

A total of 774 US service members have died in Iraq since the beginning of military operations last year. Of those, 564 died as a result of hostile action and 210 died of non-hostile causes.