In news from Iraq, at least 16 people were killed Thursday in clashes between U.S. troops and Shiite militias in Baghdad. The dead included a photographer for the Reuters news agency and his driver. They apparently came under fire from a U.S. helicopter.

Unidentified witness: “The U.S. soldiers randomly fired on cars and children. Even journalists were not safe. Over here was a Reuters crew.”

Residents say the remaining dead were civilians, including at least two children. An Agence France-Presse journalist who interviewed witnesses on the scene said the helicopter appeared to indiscriminately fire on any gathering of people in the area.