Clashes between U.S.-led coalition forces and Mehdi Army militiamen broke out early Wednesday in Baghdad's Sadr City, leaving at least eight people dead and 10 others wounded, an official with Iraq's interior ministry said. The fighting, which lasted about three hours, was waged in various locations throughout the sprawling neighborhood, the official said. The fighting came as Iraq's government moved up a vehicle ban for Baghdad from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, CNN reported. The official said the ban, which was imposed 15 hours earlier than expected, surprised residents who were headed to work and told by Iraqi security forces to return home.
