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New push to control Baghdad area New push to control Baghdad area
(20 minutes later)
Iraqi forces backed by US helicopter gunships have fought insurgents in a Sunni-dominated area in the centre of the capital, Baghdad. Iraqi forces backed by US helicopter gunships have fought insurgents in the Sunni-dominated Haifa Street area of the capital, Baghdad.
The US military said the operation in Haifa Street was part of the new plan to restore security to Baghdad. The US said it was part of the new plan to restore security to the capital.
There have been reports of military and civilian casualties in the fighting. An Iraqi official said up to 30 militants were killed and 27 detained. One US soldier was killed.
The battle came hours after President George W Bush urged the US to give his new strategy a chance to work, warning of "grievous consequences" of failure.The battle came hours after President George W Bush urged the US to give his new strategy a chance to work, warning of "grievous consequences" of failure.
In his annual State of the Union address to Congress, Mr Bush said that if the US stepped back before Baghdad was secure, "the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists from all sides".In his annual State of the Union address to Congress, Mr Bush said that if the US stepped back before Baghdad was secure, "the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists from all sides".
Bush asks for "a chance" Excerpts: State of the UnionBush asks for "a chance" Excerpts: State of the Union
The new US strategy is take control of insurgent strongholds and then to hold them, rather than withdrawing and allowing the areas to be re-taken by anti-US insurgents and sectarian militias.The new US strategy is take control of insurgent strongholds and then to hold them, rather than withdrawing and allowing the areas to be re-taken by anti-US insurgents and sectarian militias.
An advance guard of 3,200 troops arrived in Baghdad on Sunday, part of President Bush's plan to send an extra 21,500 troops to Iraq.An advance guard of 3,200 troops arrived in Baghdad on Sunday, part of President Bush's plan to send an extra 21,500 troops to Iraq.
Machine-gun fireMachine-gun fire
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the latest 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.The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the latest 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.
Map of divided Baghdad Witnesses said insurgents used rocket-propelled grenades and mortars and machine-guns against a joint force of US and Iraqi troops. Map of divided Baghdad
Two insurgents were killed and at least seven people were detained, Iraqi and US officials said. Witnesses said insurgents used rocket-propelled grenades and mortars and machine-guns against a joint force of US and Iraqi troops.
A US military spokesman said there had been US casualties although he did not give any details. Haifa Street is a major Baghdad thoroughfare lined with high-rise buildings.
There have also been reports of civilian casualties, but the US military said they had no information on this. "A lot has been coming from high-rise buildings," US military spokesman Maj Steven Lamb told Reuters news agency. "We are firing at terrorists in those buildings."
A spokesman said ambulances would be allowed into the area. A statement from the US military said that one soldier confirmed that one soldier was killed and two others injured in a combined security operation in Baghdad.
Earlier, gunfire and mortar rounds were heard coming from another Baghdad district, al-Fadl, where five US civilians died on Tuesday when a US helicopter crashed after apparently coming under fire. There were unconfirmed reports of civilian casualties.
Earlier, gunfire and mortar rounds were heard coming from another district, al-Fadl, where five US civilians died on Tuesday when a US helicopter crashed after apparently coming under fire.
Elsewhere in the city, gunmen killed a well-known professor and economist who presented a programme on Sharqiya television.Elsewhere in the city, 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 chestDiya 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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