In Iraq fierce fighting is reported tonight between US troops and radical Shi'ite militants near Najaf's holy shrine.
A senior commander of Shi'ite militants holed up inside a shrine claimed the wall of the mosque was hit by US fire.
It was not immediately possible to confirm the accusation independently.
Observers say that serious damage to the shrine would enrage millions of Shi'ites around the world and give Sadr political ammunition in his rebellion against US troops.
At least 40 killed in Najaf - Iraqi ministry
Iraq's Interior Ministry has said that at least 40 Iraqis were killed yesterday in fierce fighting near the southern city of Najaf, where Shi'ite militias are involved in a standoff with US-led forces.
The battles took place in Kufa, one of a number of towns where Shi'ite militias loyal to the radical cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, have been involved in an uprising.
In Najaf itself, rebels are still defying government demands that they disband and leave the area of the Imam Ali mosque.
Overnight and early this morning, US forces launched fresh attacks on the rebels, with witnesses reporting that warplanes carried out air attacks against positions held by rebels loyal to al-Sadr.
Flashes were said to have lit up the night sky and strong blasts echoed across the city.
