The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Baghdad

The U.S. military says five gunmen have been killed and two others detained in a raid targeting a Shiite militia leader south of Baghdad.

Iraqi police spokesman Capt. Muthanna Khalid says two civilians, including a woman, were killed and three others wounded during Friday's gunbattle in Hillah.

A military statement says troops returned fire after coming under attack as they approached the residence of the suspected "special groups" leader in Hillah. It says the main suspect and an associate were detained in the raid.

The U.S. military uses the term "special groups" to refer to Shiite militia fighters who are refusing to follow a cease-fire order by anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.