IRAQ: 85 minutes of war

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A look at 85 minutes in Iraq today as violence raged in the aftermath of an Iraqi government crackdown on militiamen loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr. All incidents were reported by Los Angeles Times stringers and based on police sources:

11 a.m.: A roadside bomb explodes in northern Hillah, south of Baghdad, killing two Iraqi police; Clashes are reported between Iraqi Security Forces and militiamen in Kifil, a town south of Hillah;

12 p.m.: A mortar lands near the National Museum in Baghdad, injuring three civilians and an Iraqi policeman; Another hits a street near the Iranian Embassy, but no casualties are reported;

12:05 p.m.: Mortars land in Baghdad’s Karada neighborhood, injuring three civilians;

12:10 p.m.: Iraqi Army and U.S. forces clash with militiamen in eastern Baghdad’s Baladiyat neighborhood, and one Iraqi civilian is reported killed in cross-fire;

12:20 p.m.: A mortar lands on an Iraqi police checkpoint in eastern Baghdad, injuring one policeman and a civilian;

12:25 p.m.: A car bomb explodes in Karada, killing two civilians and injuring five.

— Times staff writers in Baghdad