Iraq rocked by fiercest fighting since war's end......updated

[RedEarth]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4667742/

MSNBC staff and news service reports

Updated: 2:14 p.m. ET April 07, 2004BAGHDAD, Iraq

In the fiercest and most extensive fighting in Iraq since President Bush declared an end to major combat nearly a year ago, U.S. and allied troops battled insurgents in at least eight Iraqi cities on Wednesday.

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In what was believed to be the day's deadliest single incident, U.S. Marines battling for control of Fallujah reportedly fired rockets that landed near a mosque, killing approximately 40 people, according to witnesses.

An Associated Press reporter in the city saw cars ferrying the bodies from the Abdul-Aziz al-Samarrai mosque. A wall surrounding the mosque was demolished, though the mosque itself was not damaged, the reporter, Abdul-Qader Saadi, said.

Witnesses said that three missiles had landed near the building as worshippers were gathering for afternoon prayers.

Marine officer: Troops took fire from compound
But Marine Lt. Col. Brennan Byrne told The Associated Press that he ordered the mosque attacked after his men came under fire from 30 to 40 insurgents inside and militants left the compound in an ambulance and shot at U.S. troops.

"If they use the mosque as a military machine, then it's no longer a house of worship and we strike," he said.