BAGHDAD, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Fighting raged for the sixth straight day in central Iraq Tuesday between forces loyal to radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr and U.S.-backed Iraqi troops.
The clashes concentrated in the old part of the holy city of Najaf, which harbors the mausoleum of Imam Ali, the Shiites' holiest shrine.
The U.S. army asked residents of the old city to leave the parts close to the battle fronts, raising fears of a new assault on central Najaf.
Witnesses said at least 10 U.S. tanks advanced Tuesday towards al-Thawra Square near the holy shrine in the old part of the city where Sadr's al-Mehdi Army followers are positioned.
U.S. helicopters rocketed the suspected hideouts of the Shiite gunmen in the city center.
An explosive charge blew up Tuesday in central Baghdad next to several hotels hosting foreign businessmen and journalists, but no casualties were reported.
Also Tuesday, Iraqi oil supplies through southern terminals dropped to 1.1. million barrels per day from 2 million bpd as a result of threats by Sadr's followers to sabotage pipelines.
