Sorry, dupe.

dArKeR already covered this topic:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x589324

U.S. soldiers exchange gunfire with fighters loyal to Shiite cleric
By Mariam Fam, Associated Press, 5/29/2004 05:18


NAJAF, Iraq (AP) U.S. soldiers and fighters loyal to a radical Shiite cleric exchanged gunfire Saturday in Najaf's twin city of Kufa, raising new fears about whether a plan to end a seven-week standoff here will hold.

Explosions could be heard near the city's gold-domed mosque, where members of Muqtada al-Sadr's militia had taken up positions. Militia members accused U.S. troops of provoking the gunfight by approaching the city center. Coalition officials were not available for comment.

The main road leading to Kufa was blocked by tires and concrete blocks and cars were forced to take back roads into the city. Members of al-Sadr's militia, the al-Mahdi Army, roamed the streets around the mosque carrying Kalashnikovs and rocket-propelled grenades.

Three Iraqis were reported wounded in the exchanges on Saturday. Three were killed and eight injured in armed clashes Friday, hospital workers said.
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/150/world/U_S_soldiers_exchange_gunfire_:.shtml