NPR News

Spanish Troops Clash with Iraqi Protestors

By Liane Hansen,

Philip Reeves

Published April 4, 2004 at 12:00 AM EST

Spanish-led troops in Iraq exchange fire with armed militiamen amid a large demonstration near Najaf, killing at least 14 and leaving more than 100 wounded. Four Salvadoran soldiers also died in the shooting. Protestors had gathered at a Spanish base to express anger over the arrest of an aide to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and NPR's Philip Reeves.

NPR News

Liane Hansen

Liane Hansen has been the host of NPR's award-winning Weekend Edition Sunday for 20 years. She brings to her position an extensive background in broadcast journalism, including work as a radio producer, reporter, and on-air host at both the local and national level. The program has covered such breaking news stories as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the capture of Saddam Hussein, the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the Columbia shuttle tragedy. In 2004, Liane was granted an exclusive interview with former weapons inspector David Kay prior to his report on the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The show also won the James Beard award for best radio program on food for a report on SPAM.

Philip Reeves

Philip Reeves is an award-winning international correspondent covering South America. Previously, he served as NPR's correspondent covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.