Iraq's first lady escaped unharmed Sunday from a bomb attack in downtown Baghdad that struck her motorcade, injuring four body guards.

President Jalal Talabani's wife, Hiro Ibrahim Ahmed, was headed to the city's central National Theater to attend a cultural festival when her motorcade was hit in the Karrada district, according to the president's office. It was unclear whether she was the target or the attack was a random bombing.

In fighting Sunday, U.S. troops killed 18 Shiite extremists in unrelenting street battles in the capital's Shiite militia strongholds of Sadr City, Shula and New Baghdad.

Iraqi health officials said at least 10 people -- including two children -- were killed in 24 hours of fighting in Sadr City, a slum of 2.5 million people and a stronghold for the Shiite Mahdi Army militia of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who is believed to (more...)