By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The US Army Command in Iraq has announced here that its forces have killed 28 armed elements of the Mahdi Army militia east of Baghdad following a clash lasting four hours in Sadr City.
The command said in a statement Tuesday that US forces suffered sporadic attacks east of Baghdad by light weapons and explosive devices that resulted in slightly wounding six American soldiers. They were transferred to a nearby field hospital to receive treatment.
The statement said that US forces responded to the source of the fire using a mix of available weapons systems including the firing of rockets-guided system which resulted in the deaths of 28 armed men.
The statement quoted the US commander Colonel Ellen Batsgelt as saying that the goal of US forces Tuesday is to establish a safe area in Sadr City and allow the Iraqi government to impose its control and provide services to its citizens.