Explosions in Baghdad, clashes continue in al-Najaf
Fightings continued in al-Najaf between the American forces and al-Mahdi army of the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader.
Witnesses said that the most violent clashed took place between the two sides took place at the city's cemetery amd two strong explosions were heard in the surrounding of the cemetery. American planes flew in the airspace of the city and fired missiles at the headquarters of al-Mahdi amry in the area.
In recent hours, the city witnessed violent fighting that resulted in killing 7 Iraqis and wounding other 32, according to medical sources at the city's hospital. One American soldier was killed and other five injured during confrontations near al-Najaf.
News reports said that American helicopters interferred in the fighting in the day time and this resulted to downing one of the two planes and wounding two members of its crew. In al-Nasereyah the clashes with the Italian forces led to the killing of 4 and wounding other 19.
In al-Basra two members of al-Mahdi army were injured and other three wounded during clashes with the British soldiers.
In al-Sader city in Baghdad, five Iraqis were killed and other 58 persons were injured during confrontations between the American soldiers and the al-Mahdi army militias.
On Thursday evening a series of strong explosions hit Baghdad. News reports said that the explosions resulted from bombardment by mortars shelling and that one of the shelling fell near the two hotels of Ishar- Sheraton and Palestine - Meridian which are inhabited by huge number of foreign press, and business people.
In another development, the oil pipeline between Karkouk in north Iraq and the Turkish port of Jeihan was once again attacked by an explosive while one gas pipeline provides Beji electricity station to the north of Baghdad was blown up.
On the other hand, one Iraqi was killed and two others injured in violent confrontations between the Amerian forces and gunmen in al-Talae ( vanguards) square in the downtown of Baghdad. Six persons were killed and more than 20 were injured when the police center in al-Mahaweil city to the south of Baghdad was attacked twice. Once by a booby trapped car and the second time by gunmen.
In Falluja four Iraqis were killed and other 5 injured in al-Karmeh area to the east of the city as the American forces opened fire after one of its patrol was intercepted by an explosive.
In Karbala, the Iraqi police arrested nine Afghans and 10 Iranians accused of entering Iraq illegaly in order to commit armed crimes. Nine Iraqis were detained to the south of the city having telecommunications instruments and mortars.