Explosions and fierce clashes broke out in the holy Shiite city of Najaf Friday between US forces and militiamen loyal to firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr said.
| So much for us observing holy friday's. |
At least three US tanks were seen in a cemetery about one kilometre (less than a mile) from the holy Imam Ali Shrine and militiamen were seen fanning out across the area. Heavy black smoke was seen rising from the cemetery and the sound of heavy guns was heard. US helicopters hovered over the area as armed black-clad men veiled with scarves were seen running inside the sprawling cemetery, northwest of the city centre.
| That's handy, they can plant them where they fall. |
Gunfire and loud explosions were also heard coming from an area south of Najaf known as Bahr al-Najaf, where about 2,500 US soldiers are camped in the desert. The fighting comes one day after Najaf's new police chief Ghaleb al-Jazairi accused militiamen of "terrorising" residents and asked them to leave.
| Guess they didn't listen. |
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