BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. marines have killed an estimated 300 fighters loyal to a firebrand Iraqi Shi'ite cleric in fierce clashes around the holy city of Najaf...
"The number of enemy casualties is 300 KIA (killed in action)," Lieutenant Colonel Gary Johnston, operations officer for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, said at a military base near the city.
http://tinyurl.com/6l8ra
Operation Deflect Attention is in full swing. The Iraqi government just also announced that this number is correct. Which means nothing of course. But, it does mean one thing that I wouldn't be suprised if Sadr is dead before Monday thanks to Operation Deflect Attention.