U.S and Iraq forces clash with militiamen in Sadr City

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ U.S. and Iraqi forces on Sunday clashed with militiamen loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in a sprawling Baghdad Shiite slum, a U.S. official said. <br/><br/>U.S. Capt. Brian O'Malley

Sunday, September 5th 2004, 9:15 am

By: News On 6

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ U.S. and Iraqi forces on Sunday clashed with militiamen loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in a sprawling Baghdad Shiite slum, a U.S. official said.

U.S. Capt. Brian O'Malley of the 1st Brigade Combat Team said Mahdi Army militiamen fired small arms and rocket-propelled grenades at U.S. troops and Iraqi national guardsmen conducting ``routine operations'' in Sadr City.

There were no casualties among the U.S. and Iraqi forces, O'Malley said. He didn't know if civilians or militants in the area suffered any casualties.

The Interior Ministry had no immediate information.

Sadr City, a stronghold for al-Sadr, has been relatively quiet in recent days. Iraqi officials and al-Sadr followers have been holding negotiations trying to bring peace to the neighborhood.