Cautious calm in Najaf; clashes in Basra, bombardment in Falluja

The Iraqi ministry of health said yesterday that at least 77 Iraqis were killed and other 70 injured in the clashes that took place between al-Mahdi army and the American forces during the past 24 hours in Najaf.

The ministry explained that some 13 Iraqis were killed and other 107 injured during the same period in Baghdad, while one person was killed and another injured in Basra to the south of Iraq, where violent clashes erupted yesterday at dawn between the fighters of al-Mahdi army and the British forces. Helicopters took part in the fighting. Reports said that three British armored vehicles were damaged when they were blown up by bombs.

One American supplies truck was burnt in Musil city yesterday following an attack targeted it. Witnesses said that the driver of the truck was burnt in the attack.

The field developments in southern Iraq coincided with the bombardment by the American fighters once again yesterday to the industrial quarters in Falluja -- to the west of Baghdad.

The American missiles hit a milk factory and destroyed five houses. The American bombardment against the same quarters on Thursday resulted in killing two persons and injured 11 including children and women, according to medical sources at the city's hospital.