An attack at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, clashes in Kofa
Iraq, Military, 4/20/2004

The Swiss embassy in al-Sadoun park area in the downtown of Baghdad was exposed yesterday to an attack by mortars shelling. Smoke columns were seen coming up from the site of the incident, whereas the Iraqi police and American forces reinforced security measures in front of the embassy and prevented access to the place. Volume of casualties is not known so far known.

Moreover, two strong explosions hit al-Karradah quarters in the downtown of Baghdad. One is near the green area which includes the headquarters of the occupation authority. The two explosions resulted in no casualties.

In a later development, clashes erupted between the American occupation forces and al-Mahdi army of the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader in al-Kofa city near al-Najaf.

Qeis al-Az'ali, the spokesman for Muqtada al-Sader said that clashes took place in al-Kofa on the eastern bank of the Euphrates river. Al-Mahdi army confiscated a military jeep left in the site. A spokesman for the occupation forces denied knowledge over these clashes.

This new development coincided with the American forces alleviation of its presence in the surrounding of al- Najaf city and its announcement it is ready to wait for a time before attacking the city. An American military source in Iraq said that the force which belongs to contingent 3 and formed of 2500 troops will be changed within the coming days by 2,00 troops from the first armored contingent. However, negotiations are still continuous to reach a solution for the confrontation between the occupation forces and Muqtada al-Sader.

In al-Falujja, the American occupation forces started withdrawal from Amereyat al-Falluja after it had entered the residential quarters of the city.

Mermber of the political bureau in the Iraqi Islamic party Fouad al-Rawi said that a delegation representing the party led by Hajem al-Husseini, Muhammad Fadel al-Samer'ei and member of the governing council Ghazi Elawer -- headed yesterday for al-Falujja city to continue consultations over the possibility of reaching a comprehensive cease fire.

Previous Stories:
  At the American guard, al-Tamimi a chairman for Baghdad's municipality   (4/19/2004)
  14 Americans killed in Iraq, Washington renews warning to Syria, truce in al-Najaf, Spain withdraw   (4/19/2004)
  Arab Parliamentary Union, AL chief, deplore practices against people of Iraq   (4/19/2004)
  An attack at the headquarters of the Spanish forces in al-Najaf   (4/16/2004)
  Nine Iraqis were killed in Falujja   (4/14/2004)
  Women, children and the elderly evacute it fleeing the fighting; Falouja burried its martyrs; a governing council mediation   (4/10/2004)

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