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Fierce clashes shake west Baghdad Baghdad fighting 'kills dozens'
(about 1 hour later)
US and Iraqi troops backed by aircraft have been engaged in fierce clashes with Sunni fighters in central Baghdad. US and Iraqi troops have waged fierce battles with Sunni fighters in central Baghdad, reportedly killing 50 people.
Iraq's defence ministry said some 50 suspected insurgents had been killed in the battle around Haifa Street. The joint US-Iraqi forces were backed by US aircraft which fired into the Haifa Street area, witnesses said.
"Today's operation was designed to purge Haifa Street and nearby neighbourhoods from terrorists," said spokesman Maj Gen Ibrahim Shaker. The aim of the operation was to purge the district from "terrorists", Iraqi defence ministry spokesman Maj Gen Ibrahim Shaker said.
The fighting came days after Prime Minister Nouri Maliki promised tough action against illegal armed groups. The fighting came after Prime Minister Nouri Maliki promised tough action against illegal armed groups.
A spokesman for the US military said it had no "battle assessment" of Tuesday's fighting. "All our political, economic, media, security and military resources will be used to support the operations which the capital Baghdad is waiting for," he said.
The joint US-Iraqi forces were backed by US fighter jets and military helicopters, which fired into the area, witnesses said. The Iraqi defence ministry said some 50 people had been killed and 21 militants - including seven foreigners - arrested in Tuesday's fighting.
A steady barrage of mortar and machine-gun fire was heard along the west bank of the Tigris.A steady barrage of mortar and machine-gun fire was heard along the west bank of the Tigris.
Police sources told the BBC that the Haifa Street clashes follow two days of violence in the Sunni stronghold, after an Iraqi army unit found 27 bodies dumped in the nearby Sheikh Marouf cemeteryPolice sources told the BBC that the Haifa Street clashes follow two days of violence in the Sunni stronghold, after an Iraqi army unit found 27 bodies dumped in the nearby Sheikh Marouf cemetery
The military reportedly sent troops to arrest those responsible for the killings, triggering the clashes.The military reportedly sent troops to arrest those responsible for the killings, triggering the clashes.
'Foreigners' arrested'Foreigners' arrested
Early on Tuesday morning, gunmen attacked Iraqi military checkpoints leading to the cemetery.Early on Tuesday morning, gunmen attacked Iraqi military checkpoints leading to the cemetery.
The Iraqi forces called for support from their US counterparts, and together they sealed off the district and began house-to-house raids.The Iraqi forces called for support from their US counterparts, and together they sealed off the district and began house-to-house raids.
An interior ministry spokesman said 11 people had been arrested, including seven Syrian nationals.
The Haifa Street clashes broke out hours after Mr Maliki announced a new security plan for Baghdad.The Haifa Street clashes broke out hours after Mr Maliki announced a new security plan for Baghdad.
The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says it is not clear whether the current raids are a part of that plan.The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says it is not clear whether the current raids are a part of that plan.
"This area has been subject to insurgent activity which has repeatedly disrupted Iraqi security force operation in central Baghdad," US spokesmen Lt Col Scott Bleichwehl said in a statement."This area has been subject to insurgent activity which has repeatedly disrupted Iraqi security force operation in central Baghdad," US spokesmen Lt Col Scott Bleichwehl said in a statement.
US President George W Bush is expected on Wednesday to outline a new strategy for Iraq which may include 20,000 more US troops in Baghdad.
Reports suggest Mr Bush intends to attach strong conditions to any increase, such as specific targets for Iraq's security and political progress.