IRAQI CITIZENS FLEE BAGHDAD AS VIOLENCE ESCALATES

The capitol of Iraq, Baghdad, has come under heavy fire from US forces and return fire from militias and the the people caught in the middle are the residents of Baghdad who are fleeing the city in great numbers.

Iraqi civilians flee fighting in Baghdad militia stronghold

By SELCAN HACAOGLU, Associated Press Writer 35 minutes ago

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080506/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

BAGHDAD - A rocket slammed into Baghdad's city hall and another hit a downtown park Tuesday as more frightened civilians fled a Shiite militia stronghold where U.S.-led forces are locked in fierce street battles.
The American push in the Sadr City district — launched after an Iraqi government crackdown on armed Shiite groups began in late March — is trying to weaken the militia grip in a key corner of Baghdad and disrupt rocket and mortar strikes on the U.S.-protected Green Zone.

But fresh salvos of rockets from militants arced over the city, wounding at least 16 people and drawing U.S. retaliation that escalated civilian panic and flight to safer areas.