U.S. Soldiers, Militiamen Clash Near Islamic Shrines in Iraq; the Violence Persists Despite a Deal Last Month to End the 3-Week Siege of Fallujah

Summary

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KARBALA, Iraq (AP) - Heavy gunfire and huge explosions rumbled Thursday through this Shiite holy city as fighters loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr refused to end their standoff with American forces, despite losing one of their main bases at a mosque.

Big blasts were heard late Thursday in another holy city, Najaf, where al-Sadr's Shiite militiamen also face American troops. U.S. troops are trying to disband the cleric's army and sideline its radical leadership before handing power to a new Iraqi government June 30.

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Extract

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U.S. Soldiers, Militiamen Clash Near Islamic Shrines in Iraq; the Violence Persists Despite a Deal Last Month to End the 3-Week Siege of Fallujah

In central Iraq, roadside bombs killed a Marine in the Fallujah area. U.S. authorities also said a soldier and a Marine died Wednesday of wounds in Sunni Muslim-dominated areas.

The continued...

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