U.S. warplanes launched missiles early Tuesday to destroy roadside bombs and mines strewn across the east Baghdad slum of Sadr City, the site of fierce clashes recently between American troops and fighters loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the U.S. military said. There was no immediate word on casualties. Capt. Brian O'Malley of the Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team said the strikes were carried out at night so as to avoid civilian casualties. Residents said loud explosions could be heard for hours.
