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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| New push to control Baghdad areas | New push to control Baghdad areas |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Iraqi forces backed by US helicopter gunships have fought insurgents in two Sunni-dominated areas in the centre of the capital Baghdad. | Iraqi forces backed by US helicopter gunships have fought insurgents in two Sunni-dominated areas in the centre of the capital Baghdad. |
| The US military says the operation in Haifa Street was part of the new plan to restore security to Baghdad. | The US military says the operation in Haifa Street was part of the new plan to restore security to Baghdad. |
| There have been reports of military and civilian casualties in the fighting. | |
| Five US civilians died when a US helicopter crashed in the other district, al-Fadl, on Tuesday, after apparently coming under fire. | Five US civilians died when a US helicopter crashed in the other district, al-Fadl, on Tuesday, after apparently coming under fire. |
| See map of Baghdad's sectarian divides | See map of Baghdad's sectarian divides |
| The US military aims to take control of insurgent strongholds in Baghdad and then to hold them, rather than withdrawing and allowing the areas to be re-taken by anti-US forces. | The US military aims to take control of insurgent strongholds in Baghdad and then to hold them, rather than withdrawing and allowing the areas to be re-taken by anti-US forces. |
| Ending the grip of insurgents and militias in the capital's most violent neighbourhoods is key to the success of President George W Bush's new security drive. | Ending the grip of insurgents and militias in the capital's most violent neighbourhoods is key to the success of President George W Bush's new security drive. |
| Machine-gun fire | |
| The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the operation began at dawn and for several hours afterwards loud explosions and frequent bursts of heavy machine-gun fire could be heard from the Haifa street district. | |
| Witnesses said insurgents used rocket-propelled grenades and mortars and machine-guns against a joint force of US and Iraqi troops. | |
| Attack helicopters circled overhead. | |
| Two insurgents were killed and at least seven people were detained in the operation, Iraqi and US officials said. | |
| A US military spokesman said there had been US casualties although he did not give any details. | |
| There have also been reports of civilian casualties, but the US military say they have no information on this. | |
| A spokesman said ambulances would be allowed into the area. | |
| Professor shot | |
| Earlier in Baghdad, gunmen killed a well-known professor and economist, who presented a programme on Sharqiya television. | Earlier in Baghdad, gunmen killed a well-known professor and economist, who presented a programme on Sharqiya television. |
| Diya al-Meqoter was shot several times in the head and chest | Diya al-Meqoter was shot several times in the head and chest |
| He was known for supporting poor people needing loans to set up businesses, and he also headed Iraq's consumer association, a non-government agency which campaigned for fair pricing. | He was known for supporting poor people needing loans to set up businesses, and he also headed Iraq's consumer association, a non-government agency which campaigned for fair pricing. |
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