US forces raid Baghdad Shiite neighbourhood

US forces raided the homes of followers of radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

US forces raided the homes of followers of radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, then called in US jets that were circling the northwest Baghdad neighbourhood and firing rockets, killing nine people, residents have said. Police put the death toll at five.

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"Occupation forces are currently carrying out raids against al-Sadr's followers in the neighborhood of Shula," Jalil al-Nouri, said a senior al-Sadr aide.

Al-Nouri said nine people were killed in Sunday night's raid and others were wounded. The number could not be independently confirmed. Police Lt Mohammed Khyoun said five people had been killed, and 15 wounded.

Al-Nouri said there were gun battles going on between residents and US troops who were using tanks and armoured personnel carriers.

He said US Apache helicopters as well as warplanes were involved in the attacks on Shula.

Police 1st Lt Mohammed Kheyoun said he saw US helicopters over the area.

Across Baghdad, there was the drone of propeller-driven planes and flashes could be seen in the air over the north of the city.

There were no immediate casualty or damage reports.