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| US strike 'kills Iraq militants' | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| At least four people have been killed by a US air strike aiming to support Iraqi forces fighting Shia militants in Hilla, the US military has said. | At least four people have been killed by a US air strike aiming to support Iraqi forces fighting Shia militants in Hilla, the US military has said. |
| A US spokesman denied reports quoting Iraqi security sources in the town which give far higher casualty estimates, ranging from 11 to 60 dead. | A US spokesman denied reports quoting Iraqi security sources in the town which give far higher casualty estimates, ranging from 11 to 60 dead. |
| He said the raid had targeted "special group criminals", a US term referring to breakaway cells of the Mehdi Army. | He said the raid had targeted "special group criminals", a US term referring to breakaway cells of the Mehdi Army. |
| It came after fierce battles between Shia militias and troops in Basra. | |
| More than 70 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the past two days in the southern city and Baghdad during an ongoing government offensive. | More than 70 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the past two days in the southern city and Baghdad during an ongoing government offensive. |
| On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki gave Shia militants in Basra 72 hours to lay down their arms or face "severe penalties". | On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki gave Shia militants in Basra 72 hours to lay down their arms or face "severe penalties". |
| The radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, who heads the main militia, the Mehdi Army, has said Mr Maliki must leave Basra and start negotiations to end the violence. | The radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, who heads the main militia, the Mehdi Army, has said Mr Maliki must leave Basra and start negotiations to end the violence. |