Iraqi Forces, Shiite Militias In Third Day Of Fighting; Death Toll Reaches 100

Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - Clashes between Iraqi security forces and militias continued on its third day killing 43 people in Kut on Thursday and forcing Baghdad to issue an ultimatum for Shiite outlaws to surrender by Saturday. The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, ordered embassy workers in Baghdad to remain in secure buildings and take cover when going out after two Americans were killed by rocket attacks.

The fighting escalated Tuesday when government troops launched an offensive against Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army in Basra, Iraq's second largest city. U.S. and British troops backed Iraqi security forces in battling militants using grenades, mortar rounds and machine guns.

The death toll from the fighting since Tuesday reached 100 with many also getting wounded in Basra, Baghdad, Hilla, Kut, Karbala and Diwaniya.

The heavily fortified International Zone, site of the government office and foreign embassies in Baghdad, came under mortar and rocket attacks from militants killing two U.S. officials on Wednesday and Thursday. A U.S. soldier also died from a roadside bomb explosion and others were injured.

The fighting continues despite Baghdad's imposition on Sunday of a curfew from 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Sunday, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's ultimatum for Shiite militias in Basra to lay down their arms by Sunday and Al-Sadr's call Thursday for followers to stop shedding blood.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department told embassy workers Thursday in Baghdad to remain in reinforced structures, avoid sleeping in blast-prone trailers, and wear protective gears when venturing outside the International Zone.