US forces close in on Najaf centre

US forces close in on Najaf centre
Tuesday 18 May 2004

Loud explosions followed by gunfire continued to shake the Iraqi city of Najaf, hours after a US military spokesman confirmed the deaths of at least 50 Shia militiamen.

Fighting in the holy city was concentrated around the 1920 Revolution Square in the early hours of Tuesday, less than two kilometers from the town centre.

Occupation forces continue to engage Mahdi Army militiamen loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who vehemently rejects US authority.

Both sides denied responsibility for raking Ayat Allah Ali al-Sistani's residence with bullets.

The golden dome of Imam Ali-s mosque, the most revered and historic Shia sanctuary, has also had 4 holes blown through it.

Body count

US forces said on Monday they killed 50 of al-Sadr's supporters in heavy overnight clashes in the city and in Nasiriya, further south.

--snip--

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/814433AA-52D7-49FD-85BD-20BB07CBA354.htm

for a military that doesn't count enemy casualties

any casualties, anyway none that are being reported?