US troops, Iraqi militia clash in southern Shiite cities

US troops and Iraqi Mehdi Army militia loyal to wanted Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr broke out clashes in the country's southern holy Shiite cities of Kufa and Najaf on Monday.

Powerful blasts took place in the Al-Abbassiyat area at the entrance to Kufa, some 160 kilometers south of Baghdad, Dubai-based Al-Arabiya news channel reported, without giving further details.

Heavy gunfire and the sound of mortar explosions were heard in Kufa, a stronghold of Sadr's militia, witnesses also said.

In Najaf, Sadr's supporters also clashed with US forces. A US military official said the offensive was meant to seize a compound which is occupied by the Spanish forces, who will pull out of the country within the coming few days.

A member of Sadr's militia told a foreign correspondent in Kufa that they clashed with a US army unit at the entrance of Kufa and on the outskirts of the holy Shiite city of Najaf, adding some militiamen were wounded in the confrontations.   

Source: Xinhua