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U.S. forces in heavy clashes in Baghdad
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces backed by attack helicopters fought gunmen in Baghdad on Tuesday, witnesses said, in what appeared to be the heaviest battle in the capital since a security crackdown was launched in February.Two witnesses in Baghdad said they saw U.S. helicopters fire on buildings where gunmen had holed up in the Sunni stronghold of Fadhil. Police and witnesses said there had been casualties. The U.S. military said there was an operation in the area and that an Apache attack helicopter had been hit by small arms fire. It returned to base. Abu Omar, a local journalist and resident in Fadhil, said the operation by U.S. and Iraqi troops started before dawn. He said he saw helicopters rocket several buildings while gunmen armed with belt-fed machine guns roamed the streets. Another resident also said he saw U.S. helicopters firing at buildings. One flew off trailing smoke, he said. Both said fighting now appeared to have shifted out of Fadhil into neighboring Sheikh Omar, an industrial area, and Bab al-Muadham district. Many shops in the area had closed. I read and edit, so you don't have to. Surprising level of detail in this al Reuters report. I guess it's because it is in Baghdad and things there have been relatively controlled lately, allowing reporters to leave the bar and actually report. Posted by: Snomomble Phock1641 2007-04-10 |
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