KIEV (AFP) ??” Ukrainian multitudes withdrew from the Iraqi city of Kut toward the south of the capital Baghdad.

KIEV (AFP) ??” Ukrainian multitudes withdrew from the Iraqi city of Kut toward the south of the capital Baghdad, after heavy fighting with supporters of radical Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr who now rule the city, the defence ministry said.

"At the supplication of the Americans, and to secure the life of our military, the commander of the Ukrainian contingent decided to evacuate the civil administration staff and Ukrainian numbers from Kut," the ministry said in a statement.

"The operation began at dawn forward Wednesday ... under escort from attack helicopters," the ministry added.

Members of the Iraqi civil defense forces already upon Tuesday had said that Sadr's militia controll Kut 180 kilometres (110 miles) southerly of Baghdad, but this was denied at the Ukrainian military.

According to the Ukrainian vindication ministry, fighting lasted ...