Bodies lie in Baghdad street after US and Iraqi troops battle gunmen

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http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/April/focusoniraq_April80.xml§ion=focusoniraq

BAGHDAD — Bodies lay scattered across two central Baghdad neighbourhoods on Wednesday after a raging battle that left 20 insurgents and four Iraqi soldiers dead, and 16 US soldiers wounded, witnesses and officials said.

The fighting in Fadhil and Sheik Omar, two Sunni enclaves, was the most intense since a massive push to pacify the capital began two months ago.

Iraqi soldiers held a security cordon around Fadhil on Wednesday, and residents hid frightened in their homes, a witness told The Associated Press by telephone, on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety.

The Muslim Scholars Association, a Sunni group, issued a statement quoting witnesses as saying Tuesday’s battle began after Iraqi troops entered a mosque and executed two young men in front of other worshippers. Ground forces used tear gas on civilians, it said.