thedrifter
08-04-06, 07:28 AM
Bloodshed mounting across Iraq
By VIJAY JOSHI
The Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Thousands of Shiite youths, some armed, headed into Iraq's capital Thursday for a pro-Hezbollah rally as skirmishes with U.S. troops left at least three people dead, officials said.
Fifteen rally-goers were wounded in a bus bombing.
Before the crowd formed, a motorcycle bomb in Baghdad killed 12 people, the latest victims of sectarian and political bloodshed that has enveloped much of central Iraq this year.
At least 18 others were killed or were found dead Thursday across Iraq.
Nine bodies were discovered in the Tigris River, some bound and with bullet wounds.
Also killed were two Marines in Anbar province west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said, bringing to 13 the number of Americans to die in that region since July 27.
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr summoned his followers around the country to attend a mass rally Friday in the city's Sadr City district in support of the Shiite militants of Hezbollah battling Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
Iraqi government television said the Defense Ministry had approved the demonstration, a sign of the public anger over Israel's offensive in Lebanon and of al-Sadr's stature as a major player in Iraqi politics.
Crowds of young men, many wearing white shrouds, began arriving in eastern Baghdad's Sadr City late Thursday and were housed in mosques and Shiite community centers.
U.S. Army vehicles guarded approaches to the slum to prevent clashes between Shiites and Sunnis.
Some incidents were reported before the demonstrators reached Baghdad.
Iraqi police said one al-Sadr follower was killed by U.S. troops near Mahmoudiya after he brandished a weapon.
American officials said two people were killed when gunmen in three vehicles shot at the guard towers of base near the city and U.S. soldiers fired back.
At least 15 al-Sadr loyalists were injured when bombs exploded near a bus.
It was carrying them through southern Baghdad en route to Sadr City from southern Iraq, police Capt. Firas Geti said.
Ellie
By VIJAY JOSHI
The Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Thousands of Shiite youths, some armed, headed into Iraq's capital Thursday for a pro-Hezbollah rally as skirmishes with U.S. troops left at least three people dead, officials said.
Fifteen rally-goers were wounded in a bus bombing.
Before the crowd formed, a motorcycle bomb in Baghdad killed 12 people, the latest victims of sectarian and political bloodshed that has enveloped much of central Iraq this year.
At least 18 others were killed or were found dead Thursday across Iraq.
Nine bodies were discovered in the Tigris River, some bound and with bullet wounds.
Also killed were two Marines in Anbar province west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said, bringing to 13 the number of Americans to die in that region since July 27.
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr summoned his followers around the country to attend a mass rally Friday in the city's Sadr City district in support of the Shiite militants of Hezbollah battling Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
Iraqi government television said the Defense Ministry had approved the demonstration, a sign of the public anger over Israel's offensive in Lebanon and of al-Sadr's stature as a major player in Iraqi politics.
Crowds of young men, many wearing white shrouds, began arriving in eastern Baghdad's Sadr City late Thursday and were housed in mosques and Shiite community centers.
U.S. Army vehicles guarded approaches to the slum to prevent clashes between Shiites and Sunnis.
Some incidents were reported before the demonstrators reached Baghdad.
Iraqi police said one al-Sadr follower was killed by U.S. troops near Mahmoudiya after he brandished a weapon.
American officials said two people were killed when gunmen in three vehicles shot at the guard towers of base near the city and U.S. soldiers fired back.
At least 15 al-Sadr loyalists were injured when bombs exploded near a bus.
It was carrying them through southern Baghdad en route to Sadr City from southern Iraq, police Capt. Firas Geti said.
Ellie