May 6

"US troops attacked Shia militia forces around the Iraqi holy city of Najaf today, seizing the local governor's offices and killing 41 fighters, a senior official in the US occupation authority said.
In what seemed a broad move against insurgents across southern Iraq, US tanks moved unopposed into the centre of the nearby holy city of Kerbala, destroying offices used by the Mehdi Army militia of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
Eyewitnesses reported fierce battles in and around Najaf and the nearby town of Kufa. One saw US tanks at the governor's building on Najaf's main street. It was the boldest action yet against an insurgency launched a month ago by Sadr. Aged about 30 and with a following among mainly young Shias, the cleric demanded Americans leave Iraq."

 http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040507/asp/foreign/story_3217347.asp
Bloody battle in Najaf, 41 killed


"Berg's body was found decapitated on May 8, 2004 on a Baghdad overpass by a U.S. military patrol. Berg's family was informed of his death on May 10. Military sources stated publicly at that time that Berg's body showed "signs of trauma", but did not disclose that he had been decapitated. "

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Berg
Wikipedia


May 14,

"American tanks went into the city's ancient cemetery in response to what US forces said were attacks by supporters of radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
It is not known how many people died in the fighting, but one source told the BBC that bodies littered the streets.
Sadr supporters have also attacked the US-led coalition's HQ in Nasiriya.
The Mehdi Army (MA) militants have pinned down foreign and other staff inside the building in the southern city.
Reports say they have also gained control of several strategic points in Nasiriya, including a central bridge.
There has also been fighting in the holy city of Karbala, where at least four Iraqis are said to have been killed. "

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3713453.stm

BBC