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Dozens killed in Baghdad clashes Dozens killed in Baghdad clashes
(about 1 hour later)
Dozens of militia fighters have been killed during fierce fighting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the US military has said. Dozens of militia fighters have been killed during fierce clashes in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the US military has said.
Twenty-two militants died in a single incident, when US tanks opened fire to repel an attack on a checkpoint.Twenty-two militants died in a single incident, when US tanks opened fire to repel an attack on a checkpoint.
The clashes started late on Sunday in Sadr City, the stronghold of radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr. Most of the fighting reported was in Sadr City, a Baghdad stronghold of radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Militants launched attacks during a sandstorm, leading to the most violent clashes reported for several weeks.Militants launched attacks during a sandstorm, leading to the most violent clashes reported for several weeks.
Several checkpoints were targeted and the heavily protected Green Zone also came under fire.Several checkpoints were targeted and the heavily protected Green Zone also came under fire.
Local residents stayed indoors and aerial military operations by US forces were made difficult by the sandstorm, the BBC's Clive Myrie reports from Baghdad.Local residents stayed indoors and aerial military operations by US forces were made difficult by the sandstorm, the BBC's Clive Myrie reports from Baghdad.
The Green Zone, the vast complex housing government offices and foreign embassies, was still being hit by rocket or mortar attacks early on Monday.
US and Iraqi officials have blamed such attacks on rogue elements from the Mehdi Army, a militia loyal to Moqtada Sadr.
The cleric called for a ceasefire on Friday, but on Sunday he rejected the government's conditions for ending a major military campaign against Shia militias.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said he wants to disarm all militants operating outside the control of the central government.
More than 400 people have been killed in Sadr City in recent weeks.