6 civilians killed as US clashes with Iraqi militia

Six civilians were killed yesterday, caught in the crossfire during clashes between US forces and the Mahdi Army militia near the city of Kut, southeast of Baghdad, security and medical officials said.
Police Captain Ali Muhsin said the clashes broke out at dawn between a joint Iraqi and US force and elements of the Mahdi Army in the village of Anwar al-Sadr, just south of Kut.
He said US helicopters took part in the operation against the Shia militiamen, which continued until late morning, closing off main roads in the area.
Earlier insurgents have killed four more American troops north and west of Baghdad, the military said yesterday.
"Two Task Force Lightning Soldiers were killed by enemy gunfire in Salaheddin province Sunday," a statement said. Salaheddin's capital is Tikrit, hometown of executed dictator Saddam Hussein.