Iraqi Gov.: Violence escalates during 5-hour U.S. military raid [View All]

Source: CNN

Iraqi Gov.: Violence escalates during 5-hour U.S. military raid
BAGHDAD (CNN) -- U.S. troops raided an office loosely affiliated with anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's political movement in southeastern Baghdad late Saturday, killing at least three people and wounding 19 others, Iraq's Interior Ministry said Sunday.

The operation was launched in al-Fudhailiya, a Shiite district in the capital, and lasted from 10 p.m. Saturday (2 p.m. Saturday ET) until 3 a.m. Sunday (7 p.m. Saturday ET), an official within the ministry told CNN.

As the raid was underway, the official said U.S. forces opened fire on a civilian car that was approaching the office. One person was killed and four others were wounded.

Violence escalated when area residents began firing on U.S. soldiers, which sparked clashes between the military and unknown assailants, the official said.

The U.S. military told CNN clashes between gunmen and U.S. soldiers ensued and U.S. helicopters dropped tear gas into the crowd.



Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/10/sunday/index.html?section=cnn_latest

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More dead in Iraq bombings and clashes

Associated Press - June 10, 2007 4:23 AM ET

BAGHDAD (AP) - Police and witnesses say bystanders got caught in the crossfire overnight when US troops and Shiite militia fighters clashed in Baghdad.

At least five Iraqis are dead and 19 wounded. The US military hasn't given details of the fighting. But witnesses say an American convoy was attacked near the local offices of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr (mook-TAH'-duh al SAH'-dur). They say US troops detained seven men in a raid on the offices.

more:http://www.wistv.com/global/story.asp?s=6636793