US warplanes have attacked Shi'ite militia positions near an ancient cemetery in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf.
The air attack came as fighting raged in the city for a sixth consecutive day between US marines and gunmen loyal to radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
Plumes of smoke rose from the cemetery, which is a haven for guerrillas loyal to al-Sadr.
The US army’s appeals for fighters to surrender and for civilians to evacuate parts of the city has led to speculation of a renewed assault on the cemetery.
Separately in Baghdad, a bomb explosion was reported near a hotel used by foreigners.
Iraqi police said there were no casualties. The roadside bomb was apparently aimed at a US military convoy.
