U.S.-Backed Iraqi Forces Kill 250 In Effort To Protect Pilgrims

BAGHDAD, Iraq — American-backed Iraqi forces killed about 250 militants in a day-long battle near Najaf aimed at preventing attacks on religious pilgrims during major Shiite rituals, Iraqi authorities said.

Iraqi officials said an American helicopter crashed during the battle, which began early yesterday when Iraqi forces attacked militants about 12 miles northeast of Najaf. The American military declined to comment on the helicopter report.

A spokesman for Iraqi security forces in Najaf, Colonel Ali Nomas, said more than 250 corpses had been found at the scene. Army Major General Othman al-Ghanemi also spoke of 250 dead but said an exact number would be released today.

He said 10 gunmen had been captured, including one Sudanese.

Provincial officials said the gunmen planned to attack Shiite pilgrims and clerics during ceremonies marking Ashoura, which commemorates the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein. His death began the schism between Sunnis and Shiites.