Fighting in Iraq kills 13 militants

Shiite militants fought US and Iraqi forces around Baghdad’s Shiite district of Sadr City early today despite a call for calm by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr following the assassination of one of his top aides.

At least 13 Shiite militants died in the clashes, which erupted on Friday night and tapered off early today, the US military said. Iraqi police reported seven civilians were killed as a result of the fighting between US and government troops and Mr al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army militia.