Complex sentence: While crossing the Tigris in the Assyrian village of Dirabun, a clash erupted between them and a brigade of the Iraqi army, and despite using heavy artillery the Iraqis were driven back to their military base in Dirabun.
Split into simpler sentences: While crossing the Tigris in the Assyrian village of Dirabun, a clash erupted between the Assyrians and an Iraqi army brigade. Despite using heavy artillery, the Iraqis were driven back to their military base in Dirabun.