Najaf, May 25: Twelve Iraqis were killed as clashes between US troops and Shiite militiamen left Muslims in the holy city of Najaf reeling after a mortar exploded today inside Shiite Islam's holiest shrine. Yet despite violence continuing to plague the country just weeks before Iraq regains sovereignty from the US-led occupation force, the Interim Governing Council said Baghdad should have the power to ask foreign troops to leave. Five civilians were killed in overnight clashes in Kufa, while seven people were killed and 45 wounded in Iraq's central holy city of Najaf, where a mortar round exploded inside the hallowed Imam Ali mausoleum, medics said.
The upper part of one of the main gold-covered gates leading to the tomb of revered Shiite Imam Ali was damaged and rubble strewn on the blood-stained floor of the shrine, an eyewitness said.
"We have seven killed and 45 wounded, including 10 injured at the shrine," said medics at Najaf's Hakim Hospital.
Aides of Shiite radical leader Moqtada Sadr blamed the attack on US troops, but the coalition denied it.
"The coalition forces had no involvement in the damage to Imam Ali mosque," military spokesman US Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt told reporters in Baghdad.
Coalition officials have made it clear they are determined to wipe out the Mehdi Army and bring the popular leader to justice over his alleged role in the murder of a rival cleric last year.
Bureau Report