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Iraq battles leave dozens dead
28/04/2004 09:33 - (SA)
Baghdad - US forces staged night-time air and ground strikes against Iraqi insurgents in the Sunni stronghold of Fallujah late on Tuesday, hours after battles in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf left dozens dead.
The United States stepped up efforts to restore order in Iraq as special United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi warned that the ongoing bloodshed threatens the credibility of the country's political process and urged Iraqis to choose their new government by the end of May.
At least one AC-130 gunship aircraft fired cannon rounds on suspected rebel positions and arms depots in northwest Fallujah, which has become a symbol of resistance by supporters of former president Saddam Hussein, according to a CNN pool reporter in the city west of Baghdad.
He said the gunship fired 20 to 25 rounds at a time with "explosions on the ground sending showers of sparks and flames into the night sky".
Plumes of dark smoke rose above the city as fierce gun battles went on late into the night.
Defensive positions
"Anti-Iraq forces attacked marines in defensive positions in Fallujah shortly after 10:00 (18:00 GMT) tonight, again violating the current ceasefire," the 1st Marine Division said in a statement.
"Marines responded by directing precision weaponry against the enemy forces in order to defend themselves."
Despite the fighting, a ceasefire remains officially in operation and US civilian administrator Paul Bremer said joint US-Iraqi patrols will start on Thursday in Fallujah.
Shi'ites in Najaf meanwhile buried many of the dozens of dead from clashes between US forces and followers of Moqtada al-Sadr the previous night.
Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said 64 members of Sadr's Mehdi Army were killed. Seven were killed after a US patrol was attacked, and another 57 were killed when US warplanes destroyed an anti-aircraft gun.
No US casualties were reported from the battle but one soldier was killed on Tuesday when his patrol came under attack in Sadr City, said Kimmitt.
General Richard Myers said in Washington that the US military may send more heavy armour to Iraq, amid concerns that even new armoured Humvees do not offer enough protection as attacks on coalition troops intensify.
But amid concerns over the coalition's military strength, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said London would not dispatch more soldiers to fill the gap.
"The advice we have is that we've got sufficient troops to do the job," Blair said after a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi intends to keep troops in Iraq despite the kidnapping of four Italians, one of whom has already been killed.
"We are in Iraq because we have a mission and that mission is one that leads to democracy," Berlusconi said. Italy has 3 000 troops in Iraq.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said his country could add to its 850 troops in Iraq to help stabilise the country but not significantly and not for a long-term occupation.
- AFP
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