Meanwhile, in downtown Baghdad

This morning there apparently was a firefight in downtown Baghdad between U.S. forces and insurgents (of whatever stripe) that went on for about six hours, maybe more. That shows how well we control the city -- six hours of open shooting!

US and Iraqi forces have clashed with an armed group in central Baghdad, coming under fire from mortars and rocket-propelled grenades during raids in an area the US military says is a forcus for armed activity.

… A barrage of mortar and machine-gun fire reverberated across central Baghdad as security forces launched a crackdown on armed groups in the notorious Haifa Street.

US fighter jets and military helicopters hovered above the area where the battle was centred, witnesses and the US military said.

Skirmishes began in the early hours of Tuesday and by daylight had grown into a heated exchange of fire, forcing residents to avoid main roads.