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U.S. Helicopter Downed in Najaf Fighting

A U.S. helicopter is shot down during hours of fierce fighting in the Iraqi city of Najaf, where Iraqi police battled fighters loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Injuries are reported in the downing of the helicopter, but no deaths. U.S. Marines are called in for backup as fighting escalates. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Copyright 2004 NPR

Ivan Watson
Ivan Watson is currently based in Istanbul, Turkey. Following the 9-11 terrorist attacks, he has served as one of NPR's foreign "firemen," shuttling to and from hotspots around the Middle East and Central Asia.
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