LOC23:57
20:57 GMT
BAGHDAD, April 6 (KUNA) -- Armed groups had set a major food market on
fire, which also resulted in torching a number of government outposts and
police departments in the process, eyewitnesses said on Sunday.
Jamilla, Baghdad's biggest food market, had caught fire during clashes
between gunmen and Iraqi-US forces in al-Sadr city, al-Mahdi Army militia
headquarters, locals told KUNA.
The city had been witnessing heavy clashes since last Friday.
The gunmen had also "deliberately" set the Municipal Council building on
fire, the eyewitnesses noted, adding that the gunmen then mortar-shelled
police precinct 55 near al-Mothafar Square at the vicinity of al-Sadr City,
leading to its total burn down.
Today's fighting, which already resulted in killing 20 people and injuring
20 more, follows a clash on Saturday after Mahdi Army fighters attacked an
Iraqi Army unit conducting a humanitarian mission with rocket propelled
grenades and small arms. (pickup previous)
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KUNA 062357 Apr 08NNNN