18 killed as US tanks pound militias

American tanks and AC-130 gunships pounded militia positions early today near two shrines in the centre of the holy city of Karbala killing 18 fighters loyal to a rebel cleric.

The fighting started after insurgents fired several rocket-propelled grenades at US tanks that were patrolling around Karbala’s so-called “Old City,” said US Army Colonel Pete Mansoor of the 1st Armoured Division.