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Battle rages in Shia Iraqi town Battle rages in Shia Iraqi town
(about 4 hours later)
US and Iraqi troops have killed 20 suspected Shia militants during heavy clashes in the southern Iraqi city of Diwanieh, the US military has said. US and Iraqi troops have killed 20 suspected Shia militants during heavy clashes in the southern Iraqi city of Diwaniya, the US military has said.
The American troops were in the Shia city to carry out "combat operations".The American troops were in the Shia city to carry out "combat operations".
The fresh violence came as police in the capital, Baghdad, said they had found the bodies of 51 people who had been abducted, tortured and murdered.The fresh violence came as police in the capital, Baghdad, said they had found the bodies of 51 people who had been abducted, tortured and murdered.
Meanwhile, a 36-hour curfew was lifted in the northern city of Kirkuk following a huge security operation.Meanwhile, a 36-hour curfew was lifted in the northern city of Kirkuk following a huge security operation.
Thousands of Iraqi army and police force personnel backed by US-led coalition troops combed Kirkuk for insurgents, while US troops lent helicopter support.Thousands of Iraqi army and police force personnel backed by US-led coalition troops combed Kirkuk for insurgents, while US troops lent helicopter support.
Police said about 180 people were detained and large quantities of arms and ammunition seized.Police said about 180 people were detained and large quantities of arms and ammunition seized.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Iraq says tensions have been rising in Kirkuk, which is home to Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens who claim ownership of the city and the oil-rich lands around it.The BBC's Jim Muir in Iraq says tensions have been rising in Kirkuk, which is home to Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens who claim ownership of the city and the oil-rich lands around it.
Regional tensionRegional tension
The BBC's correspondent says a curfew was imposed for four hours in Diwanieh, a mainly Shia town, following the destruction of a US tank during clashes believed to involve local Shia militia. The BBC's correspondent says a curfew was imposed for four hours in Diwaniya, a mainly Shia town, following the destruction of a US tank during clashes believed to involve local Shia militia.
Bush's Iraq options limitedBush's Iraq options limited
Fighting broke out after coalition forces raided the house of Kifah al-Greiti, a commander of the Mehdi Army Shia militia, the Associated Press news agency says, quoting an Iraqi army officer.Fighting broke out after coalition forces raided the house of Kifah al-Greiti, a commander of the Mehdi Army Shia militia, the Associated Press news agency says, quoting an Iraqi army officer.
US soldiers sealed off roads into the city in an apparent attempt to keep insurgents from bringing in reinforcements, according to AP.US soldiers sealed off roads into the city in an apparent attempt to keep insurgents from bringing in reinforcements, according to AP.
Our correspondent says tensions have been high in the area since fierce fighting in August between the Mehdi Army and Iraqi government forces.Our correspondent says tensions have been high in the area since fierce fighting in August between the Mehdi Army and Iraqi government forces.