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Up to 300 Iraqis killed in battle near Najaf
26/03/2003 01:18 - (SA)
Washington - Up to 300 Iraqis have died in fierce fighting near Najaf and Karbala in what is the largest battle of the ground war in Iraq.
A Pentagon official said on Wednesday the battle began when Iraqi troops launched a huge night time attack on US forces, possibly trying to take advantage of poor visibility due to sandstorms.
Elements of the US Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment engaged the Iraqis after coming under rocket propelled grenade fire that damaged some US equipment.
"There are reports we have killed quite a few," said the official. "Some reports say 200 to 300, some reports say 150."
He said the clash was with "dismounted forces" but it was unclear whether they were regular army or irregulars such as the Fedayeen Saddam.
"They fired first," the official said. "We were engaged."
He discounted reports that the engagement may have been the first ground clash with the Republican Guard divisions defending the approaches to Baghdad.
"I don't think this is the start of the battle of Baghdad," the official said.
Najaf and Karbala, 160km and 80km from Baghdad respectively, are some of the last obstacles coalition forces must overcome before beginning an all out strike on the capital.
- AFX
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