Five Iraqis killed in clashes

US forces clashed with insurgents southeast of the Iraqi capital in fighting that left up to five civilians dead.

Clashes broke out late last night in Kut al-Hayy, 120 miles southeast of Baghdad, and continued early today, said provincial Health Director Falah Hassan al-Bairamany.

At least five civilians were killed and eight were injured during the fighting, he said.

The US-led coalition confirmed the clashes in a statement, saying four civilians were killed and four were injured when their bus was caught in crossfire. It was not clear if they were among the five dead al-Bairamany reported.

“A bus inadvertently entered into the crossfire, causing several passengers to be hit by small arms fire,” the coalition said.

The wounded were treated by coalition medics, the statement said.

US-led troops were deployed to the Kut al-Hayy at the request of the provincial governor to “restore civil order to the city,” the statement said.

Heavy fighting broke out between Iraqi Shiite militiamen and US troops in the holy city of Najaf, leaving many people killed and wounded, medical officials said.

Officials at Najaf’s main hospital said 29 casualties had been brought in from the clashes in the heart of the old city. The number included people killed.