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Iraqi clashes 'kill 250 rebels' Iraq clashes 'kill 250 militants'
(10 minutes later)
US and Iraqi troops have killed about 250 rebels in fierce fighting around the holy city of Najaf, police say. US and Iraqi troops have killed about 250 militants in fierce fighting around the holy city of Najaf, police say.
The battle has been raging all day as US-backed Iraqi army units fight the unidentified rebel group in orchards on the northern outskirts of Najaf. The battle has been raging all day as US-backed Iraqi army units fight the unidentified group in orchards on the northern outskirts of Najaf.
The US military has not commented and there is no independent confirmation of the Iraqi announcement.The US military has not commented and there is no independent confirmation of the Iraqi announcement.
It said three Iraqi soldiers had died in the fighting. A US helicopter is also reported to have been shot down.It said three Iraqi soldiers had died in the fighting. A US helicopter is also reported to have been shot down.
The US says it is investigating.The US says it is investigating.
An Iraqi official in the Najaf governor's office told the BBC that 21 Iraqi soldiers had been injured in the clashes and the Iraqi army was sweeping the area.An Iraqi official in the Najaf governor's office told the BBC that 21 Iraqi soldiers had been injured in the clashes and the Iraqi army was sweeping the area.
Earlier, Iraqi police said 54 unidentified bodies had been found in and around the capital on Sunday alone.Earlier, Iraqi police said 54 unidentified bodies had been found in and around the capital on Sunday alone.
On Saturday, police said 40 bodies were found - such deaths are generally attributed to sectarian violence.On Saturday, police said 40 bodies were found - such deaths are generally attributed to sectarian violence.
In other violence on Sunday:
  • At least seven Iraqi children died after their schools were targeted - five in Baghdad where a mortar hit a high school and two in a bomb attack at a primary school in Ramadi
  • A car bomb in the Sadr City district of Baghdad killed at least four people
  • A bomb killed at least five people outside a warehouse in the mainly Kurdish Almas district of central Kirkuk
  • Gunmen ambushed a senior official in Iraq's industry ministry as he drove to work, killing him, his daughter and two other people.
    • The UN says that, on average, just under 100 people die through violence each day in Iraq.The UN says that, on average, just under 100 people die through violence each day in Iraq.
    The latest violence comes as Shia Muslims mark Ashura, one of their holiest festivals.The latest violence comes as Shia Muslims mark Ashura, one of their holiest festivals.