- SOUTHERN IRAQ (Reuters)
- U.S. Marine tanks battled Iraqi forces on the western outskirts of Basra
on Saturday, a U.S. Marine captain said.
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- "We are attacking Iraqi forces, all of which are
west of Basra," Captain Andrew Bergen told reporters in the Basra
region.
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- "I would certainly say it's a major battle."
-
- "That's Marine artillery right there shooting,"
he said, as explosions thudded in the distance.
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- Marine Cobra attack helicopters which were taking part
in the battle could be seen circling overhead.
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- Bergen said he was not aware of any casualties on the
U.S. side but that an armored vehicle used to retrieve damaged tanks had
been hit by a rocket-propelled brigade.
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- He said the U.S. Marines were not attempting to take
the city since they were aiming to avoid urban warfare. A British spokesman
said U.S. forces were trying to negotiate a surrender of the city.
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- He was not aware if British forces were involved in the
battle, but dozens of British armored vehicles could be seen advancing
northwards along a road outside Basra.
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- The convoy included tanks, armored personnel carriers
and artillery.
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