British Troops Clash with Iraqi Shi'ite Militia

Militiamen loyal to rebel cleric Moqtada al-Sadr attacked British forces in the city of Amara, 365 km (230 miles) south of Baghdad, after a number of the Mehdi Army militia officials were arrested, local security sources said.

A British military spokesman said numerous individuals had been arrested in a swoop that netted "significant amounts or arms, explosives and bomb-making equipment."

He said British forces sustained a number of casualties in a rocket-propelled grenade attack on a convoy in the town. A British officer at the scene said three soldiers were wounded, one seriously.

British forces then pulled out of parts of the city and talks were under way to restore order, the spokesman said. Local sources said the militiamen were demanding the release of 10 of their comrades.

Mortar rounds were also fired at an airport used by the U.S.-led administration in the town, wounding an Iraqi police.

Sadr announced an uprising against U.S.-led occupation forces and his militiamen have repeatedly clashed with U.S. troops in central and south-central parts of Iraq.

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