500 Iraqis killed in two days: US Commander

The Commander said US forces ran into "a lot" of Iraqi tanks and anti-aircraft weaponry and "thousands and thousands" of weapons around the city of Najaf.

About 500 Iraqis have been killed in the last two days by US Army infantry tanks and mechanised units as they swept through southern Iraq, a top US commander said on Tuesday.

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The estimate came from Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Preston of V Corps, who oversees the 3rd Infantry Division.

Preston said US forces ran into "a lot" of Iraqi tanks and anti-aircraft weaponry and "thousands and thousands" of weapons around the city of Najaf.

"This could have been very ugly, but they're not very motivated," Preston said of the regular Iraqi army recruits. "I think a lot of them wanted to go home."

US troops were stopping civilian vehicles and interrogating people, he added.

Asked about his division's plans, he replied: "Baghdad."