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.
