US helicopter fires on Iraqi funeral party-ministry

BAGHDAD, Nov 24 (Reuters) A US helicopter fired on a funeral party in Baghdad, one of dozens taking place after yesterday's devastating bombings in Sadr City, in response to ritual shooting, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said.

A ministry official said two people were wounded in tday's air strike, which came after mourners fired into the air.

Earlier, some residents and a Shi'ite lawmaker reported clashes between gunmen and US-led forces in Sadr City, a stronghold of the Mehdi Army militia in the Iraqi capital.

A US military spokesman said he could not comment on specific operations but US forces were helping Iraqi army and police enforce a curfew imposed after the Sadr City attacks on Thursday which killed more than 200 people.

REUTERS LL ND2332