US and Iraqi troops have waged fierce battles with Sunni fighters in Baghdad, reportedly killing 50 militants.
US and Iraqi troops have killed at least 50 militants during a battle in a Sunni stronghold of Baghdad, the Iraqi defence ministry says.
The joint US-Iraqi forces were backed by US aircraft which fired into the Haifa Street area, witnesses said.
At least 1,000 soldiers backed by US aircraft fought the militants in the Haifa Street district.
The aim of the operation was to purge the district from "terrorists", Iraqi defence ministry spokesman Maj Gen Ibrahim Shaker said.
The Iraqi military says it aims to purge the area of "terrorists".
The fighting came after Prime Minister Nouri Maliki promised tough action against illegal armed groups.
US President George W Bush is expected on Wednesday to outline a new strategy for Iraq which may include sending 20,000 more US troops to Baghdad.
"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.
A first wave of extra troops will go into Iraq before the end of the month, a senior defence official has said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.
The Iraqi defence ministry said some 50 insurgents had been killed and 21 militants - including seven foreigners - arrested in Tuesday's fighting.
This area has been subject to insurgent activity which has repeatedly disrupted Iraqi security force operation Scott BleichwehlUS military spokesman A steady barrage of mortar and machine-gun fire was heard along the west bank of the Tigris.
But many Democrats - who now control the US Congress - are against further deployments in Iraq.
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 cemetery
Senator Edward Kennedy, a Democrat and long-time critic of the war, has proposed legislation requiring congressional approval for funds needed to send more troops to Iraq.
The military reportedly sent troops to arrest those responsible for the killings, triggering the clashes.
In other developments:
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Plane crash
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plane carrying Turkish construction workers crashed on landing north of Baghdad, killing more than 30 people
Early on Tuesday morning, gunmen attacked Iraqi military checkpoints leading to the cemetery.
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new video appeared on the internet showing the body of Saddam Hussein with a gaping neck wound after his execution
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the way Saddam Hussein's execution was carried out was "completely wrong"
Security plan
The Baghdad 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 fighting.
Early on Tuesday, 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.
The Haifa Street clashes broke out hours after Mr Maliki announced the security plan for Baghdad.
The Iraqi defence ministry said 21 militants - including seven foreigners - were arrested.
The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says it is not clear whether the current raids are a part of that plan.
The fighting came hours after Prime Minister Nouri Maliki promised tough action against illegal armed groups.
"This area has been subject to insurgent activity which has repeatedly disrupted Iraqi security force operation in central Baghdad," US spokesman Lt Col Scott Bleichwehl said in a statement.
"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 fighting came as a new video appeared on the internet showing the body of Saddam Hussein with a gaping neck wound after his execution.
Meanwhile, a plane carrying Turkish construction workers has crashed while trying to land at Balad air base, north of Baghdad. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said 32 of the 35 people on board were killed.
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.
