US troops clashed with militiamen loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in fighting that killed at least 23 Iraqis, and al-Sadr denounced US abuse of Iraqi prisoners in a defiant sermon today.
Gunmen killed two journalists on the road to the troubled cities.
Six members of a family, including three children aged 2, 4 and 5, were killed and three others were wounded when their home was hit, apparently by American fire, during a mortar clash between US troops and al-Sadr fighters in Najaf overnight.
At least one militiaman was also killed in the battle.
Clashes during the day in Najaf killed at least 12 al-Sadr gunmen, Brig Gen. Mark Kimmitt said in Baghdad, adding that a 500-pound bomb was dropped early today to take out a mortar position.
At least four Iraqis were killed in fighting in Karbala, according to hospital sources.
Despite the presence of hundreds of US troops nearby who have vowed to capture him, al-Sadr traveled from Najaf to the main mosque in nearby Kufa surrounded by a large number of his heavily armed black-garbed gunmen, including at least one carrying an anti-aircraft gun.
"Yes, yes, to freedom! Yes, yes to independence," several thousand worshippers chanted as the young renegade cleric delivered a sermon blasting the United States over the abuse of Iraqi detainees at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison.
"What sort of freedom and democracy can we expect from you (Americans) when you take such joy in torturing Iraqi prisoners?" said al-Sadr, his shoulders draped with a white coffin shroud symbolizing his readiness for martyrdom.