US military says 12 militants killed in Baghdad

A US Military spokesman says 12 "criminal fighters" have been killed in an "uptick" In clashes in Baghdad's main Shiite district of Sadr City.

The announcement comes after anti-US Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warned he will declare war if a U.S.-Iraqi

crackdown against his followers is not stopped. Lt. Col. Steve Stover says the deadliest strike was when

seven militants attacked a US checkpoint just before 8 am Sunday in Sadr City. (AP)