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U.S. commander killed in Iraq firefight12-hour battle in holy city claims six lives
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Four U.S. military police, including a commanding officer, and two Iraqi policemen, were killed in two separate incidents Friday. The latest deaths bring the number of U.S. troops killed in hostile fire since President Bush declared an end to major combat to 101. Among those killed in a 12-hour gunfight in the holy city of Karbala was the 43-year-old commanding officer of the 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. Two other U.S. military police officers and two Iraqi policemen died in the firefight after attempting to negotiate with armed men congregated near a mosque after curfew. Twelve members of the joint patrol -- seven Americans and five Iraqis -- were wounded. (Gallery: Clash in Karbala) Tensions have been high in Karbala where there is a power struggle among rival Shiite factions. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr last week announced he was forming an Islamic state in Iraq, calling for "peaceful demonstrations" by those who agree. After little showing of support, he later withdrew his proposal. On Friday, speaking in Al Kufa, near Najaf, Sadr accused the United States of stirring dissent in Karbala. "America seeks to apply the feature of terrorism on me in particular, especially after the declaration of the new state, to mar the reputation of this line in general and to be able to arrest me legally," he said. "Therefore it sowed dissent in Karbala and some other cities." U.S. Maj. Ralph Manos said Friday that between 20 and 30 Iraqis attacked the Iraq-U.S. joint force when they tried to disarm an unknown, armed faction that had established itself near a mosque in the holy Shiite city. He said the force was on routine patrol in Karbala, about 55 miles (88 kilometers) south of the Iraqi capital, when the gunfight broke out. The other solider killed, from the U.S. Army's 220th Military Police Brigade, was caught by the blast of an improvised explosive device, which wounded two more soldiers. U.S. Central Command said the device detonated at 7:50 a.m. (12:50 a.m. EDT) Friday. Since the Iraq war began in March, 336 U.S. troops have been killed, including 216 in hostile fire. Since Bush's declaration of the end of major combat May 1, 197 U.S. troops have died -- 101 in hostile fire. There is no reliable source for Iraqi civilian or combatant casualty figures, either during the period of major combat or after May 1. The Associated Press reported an estimated 3,240 civilian Iraqi deaths between March 20 and April 20, but the AP reported that the figure was based on records of only half of Iraq's hospitals and the actual number was thought to be significantly higher. Iraq bill approved but differences remainThe House and Senate Friday approved spending bills for Iraq and Afghanistan, giving the White House much -- but not all -- of what it wants for ongoing U.S. military and reconstruction efforts in the two countries. And key differences in the two measures must be resolved by lawmakers before President Bush can sign a bill. (Full story) On the diplomatic front, the U.N. Security Council Thursday unanimously adopted the U.S.-backed resolution on Iraq -- a move the United States hailed as an important show of international unity. The vote of the 15-member nations approved Resolution 1511, which calls for an expanded role for the United Nations, encourages countries to offer more troops for Iraq and more money to rebuild the country and addresses the transfer of sovereignty from the U.S.-led coalition to Iraq. (Text of resolution) The Bush administration is hopeful that a new resolution expanding the U.N. role and addressing the transfer of power to Iraqis will encourage more countries to offer troops and money to rebuild the country. (Administration officials, lawmakers react) Russia, France and Germany, the main opponents to the war in Iraq, raised their hands for the resolution because, their representatives said, it is a good initial step. But representatives of those countries said more could have been done, pointing to the stated role of the United Nations and the transfer of responsibilities from the coalition to the Iraqis. (Full story) The plan calls for the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council to set a timetable for drafting a constitution and holding elections by December 15. Spain pledged $300 million in financial aid to help rebuild Iraq, First Deputy Prime Minister Rodrigo Rato said Friday, a week before his country hosts an international donors' conference on Iraq. (Full story) Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio has said that the conference would aim to glean pledges of at least $6 billion. Japan pledged $1.5 billion this week. CNN's Jane Arraf, Al Goodman, Jonathan Karl, John King, John Raedler, Richard Roth, Hayat Mongodin and Harris Whitbeck contributed to this report. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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