BAGHDAD, Aug 9 (AFP) - Four US soldiers and more than 360 Shiite militiamen have been killed in fighting in the central Iraqi province of Najaf over the past five days, the US military said Monday.
"Since the fight broke out, four (American) soldiers of the multinational forces have been killed in Najaf and 19 wounded," a military spokesman said.
"The estimated number of enemy (militiamen) killed in the fight as of now is more than 360."
He said four Iraqi national guards also died in the clashes, while 12 were wounded.
On Saturday, the military had said 300 militiamen loyal to Shiite radical leader Moqtada Sadr had been killed, while the governor of Najaf put the figure at 400.
The spokesman said around 2,000 soldiers belonging to the multinational forces were engaged in Najaf, many of whom had surrounded the cemetery and the revered Imam Ali shrine, while around 1,800 Iraqi security forces were also involved in the operation.
"We have permission from the governor of Najaf to enter the shrine and conduct our operation, but we have not done it as of now," the spokesman said.
"Our operation is in the vicinity of the cemetery. But the militiamen have broken the laws of conflict by using the holy shrine as a base for military operation.
"We respect the shrine and any action taken will be on the order and direction of the governor. The militiamen are taking advantage of the shrine to develop its base there."
He said the main objective of the multinational forces was to recover the ground and not enter the shrine at the moment.
"Our objective is also not to pursue Moqtada Sadr or any particular individual at the moment. We are just chasing those who attacked the multinational forces in Najaf."
The spokesman said there was indication so far of any Iranian intervention in the Najaf fighting but added there was "some evidence that Iranians, Syrians and other foreigners are involved in insurgency across Iraq".
"But we are not drawing any conclusion at this point whether their governments are involved."