Iraq claims toll in battle near besieged Iranian city

A desert battle involving tanks, artillery, and rockets near the besieged southwest Iranian city of Susangerd claimed the lives of 183 Iranians, the Iraqi military high command reported. In a communique issued in Baghdad, the high command said an Iranian infantry force that tried to approach Iraqi positions in the open wastelands near Susangerd was decisively repulsed. Iraqi armor and artillery pushed to within two miles of Susangerd after defeating a big Iranian counteroffensive in a major tank battle south of the town last month. But Iraqi commanders admit they do not have Susangerd com pletely.