The clashes between US soldiers and Shia militiamen loyal to anti-US cleric Moqtada Sadr - known as the Mehdi Army - took place on the outskirts of the town of Kufa, some 10km (six miles) north-east of Najaf.
"Forty-three anti-coalition forces were killed near Najaf and an anti-coalition anti-aircraft system was destroyed by an AC-130 gunship," a US military spokeswoman said in Baghdad. She declined to give any more details.
Local residents said US warplanes had attacked a Mehdi Army checkpoint after fighting between US troops and militiamen broke out in the area.
Seeking Female
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| Gender | Male |
| Age | 47 |
| Location | South Africa, Western Cape, Cape Town |
| 🌈 Sexuality | Straight |
| 🌎 Ethnicity | Black / African |
| 🎓 Education | Student |
| 💞 Relationship Status | Single |
| 🙏 Religion | Atheist / Not Religious |
| 🚬 Smoke | No |
| 🍷 Drink | No |
| 👶 Children | Yes, living with me |
| 📏 Height | 4ft 8in (142 cm) |
| ⌛ Body Type | Petite |
| 👱 Hair Colour | Blonde |
| 🦵 Body hair | Natural |