http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq&cid=540&ncid=148018 Killed in Heavy Fighting in Karbala
By FISNIK ABRASHI, Associated Press Writer
KARBALA, Iraq - American tanks and AC-130 gunships pounded insurgent positions near two shrines in the center of the holy city of Karbala early Friday, and the U.S. military said it killed 18 fighters loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
The fighting began after insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at U.S. tanks patrolling Karbala's so-called "Old City," said U.S. Army Col. Pete Mansoor of the 1st Armored Division.
The tanks returned fire, and more than two hours of heavy fighting followed. Smoke billowed from burning buildings. A rebel weapons cache was hit, the military said.
Much of the fighting was near the city's Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas shrines, which U.S. forces allege are being used by militiamen as firing positions or protective cover. Mansoor said the shrines were not damaged.