Which means another 2500 seriously anti-coalition dudes running around in-country...
------------------------------
"The releases are part of a plan to reduce the prison's population from its current level of about 4,000 inmates to about 1,500."
"Most of those inside Abu Ghraib have been held without charge, some for many months."
------------------------------
Fierce fighting erupts in Najaf
The US is running out of patience with Sadr
Fierce clashes have erupted between US forces and Iraqi militants loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr in the holy city of Najaf.
Tanks and troops moved into a cemetery near a holy shrine and traded fire with fighters sheltering among the tombs.
Mr Sadr appeared in nearby Kufa, where he delivered a fiery sermon condemning the US and UK, AP news agency said.
In Baghdad, the US military has begun to release more than 300 inmates from Abu Ghraib jail.
Graveyard battle
US troops fired cannons and machine-guns at Shia militants sheltering in the sprawling cemetery, about three kilometres (two miles) from the Imam Ali Shrine, close to where Mr Sadr has taken sanctuary.
Fighters, who have apparently been using the graveyard from which to stage hit-and-run attacks on US forces, responded with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
Thick black smoke was seen rising above the cemetery - one of the largest in the world - while sporadic gunfire could be heard across the city.
The BBC's David Willis in Baghdad says the Americans have consistently said they would not encroach on the Imam Ali Shrine, but in recent days they have also said their patience is wearing thin.
American tanks blocked off roads between Najaf and Kufa in an apparent attempt to stop Mr Sadr from reaching Kufa, but the cleric appeared in the town, where he delivered an angry sermon at Friday prayer services.
He described George Bush and Tony Blair as "the heads of tyranny" who ignored the suffering of Iraqis.
Witnesses also reported gunfire in the holy city of Karbala, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Najaf.
Reuters news agency quoted hospital sources as saying at least four Iraqis were killed in clashes there between US forces and militants loyal to Mr Sadr overnight.
Mr Sadr, who is wanted by the US in connection with the assassination of a rival Shia cleric, launched an uprising against coalition forces last month.
Prison releases
In the capital, the US military began releasing hundreds of prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison.
The first busload of detainees left the jail in the early hours of Friday.
The prison has been at the centre of a scandal after photographs emerged showing American guards abusing Iraqi inmates.
The releases are part of a plan to reduce the prison's population from its current level of about 4,000 inmates to about 1,500.
Most of those inside Abu Ghraib have been held without charge, some for many months.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3713453.stm
------------------------------
"The releases are part of a plan to reduce the prison's population from its current level of about 4,000 inmates to about 1,500."
"Most of those inside Abu Ghraib have been held without charge, some for many months."
------------------------------
Fierce fighting erupts in Najaf
The US is running out of patience with Sadr
Fierce clashes have erupted between US forces and Iraqi militants loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr in the holy city of Najaf.
Tanks and troops moved into a cemetery near a holy shrine and traded fire with fighters sheltering among the tombs.
Mr Sadr appeared in nearby Kufa, where he delivered a fiery sermon condemning the US and UK, AP news agency said.
In Baghdad, the US military has begun to release more than 300 inmates from Abu Ghraib jail.
Graveyard battle
US troops fired cannons and machine-guns at Shia militants sheltering in the sprawling cemetery, about three kilometres (two miles) from the Imam Ali Shrine, close to where Mr Sadr has taken sanctuary.
Fighters, who have apparently been using the graveyard from which to stage hit-and-run attacks on US forces, responded with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
Thick black smoke was seen rising above the cemetery - one of the largest in the world - while sporadic gunfire could be heard across the city.
The BBC's David Willis in Baghdad says the Americans have consistently said they would not encroach on the Imam Ali Shrine, but in recent days they have also said their patience is wearing thin.
American tanks blocked off roads between Najaf and Kufa in an apparent attempt to stop Mr Sadr from reaching Kufa, but the cleric appeared in the town, where he delivered an angry sermon at Friday prayer services.
He described George Bush and Tony Blair as "the heads of tyranny" who ignored the suffering of Iraqis.
Witnesses also reported gunfire in the holy city of Karbala, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Najaf.
Reuters news agency quoted hospital sources as saying at least four Iraqis were killed in clashes there between US forces and militants loyal to Mr Sadr overnight.
Mr Sadr, who is wanted by the US in connection with the assassination of a rival Shia cleric, launched an uprising against coalition forces last month.
Prison releases
In the capital, the US military began releasing hundreds of prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison.
The first busload of detainees left the jail in the early hours of Friday.
The prison has been at the centre of a scandal after photographs emerged showing American guards abusing Iraqi inmates.
The releases are part of a plan to reduce the prison's population from its current level of about 4,000 inmates to about 1,500.
Most of those inside Abu Ghraib have been held without charge, some for many months.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3713453.stm
