Three dead in Sadr City attacks

BAGHDAD, May 12 (UPI) -- Deadly skirmishes were reported in Baghdad's Sadr City despite word of a cease-fire between the Iraqi government and followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr.

Three people were killed separate incidents as violence flared Sunday night into Monday morning, CNN reported.

U.S. troops were fired upon and in the ensuing fight killed one person, officials said. Later, military officials said a "criminal" attacked U.S. soldiers with a rocket-propelled grenade and was shot and killed. In a third confrontation, soldiers fired upon a band of attackers, killing one.

The attacks occurred after a U.S. military official said it would be "premature" to conclude a truce between the Iraqi government and Sadr's militia was reached as the two sides have stated, CNN said.