.Death toll from Iraq Shiite city clashes rises to 17: medic
KUT, Iraq (AFP) — At least 17 people have been killed, including five children, in fierce clashes between militants and Iraqi and US forces in the Shiite city of Kut, a local medic told AFP Wednesday.
"Seventeen people have been killed, including five children and a female college student. Others are young men," Mamoon Ajil, registrar at Kut's Al-Zahra hospital said.
On Tuesday, Iraqi police said at least 10 people were killed in the clashes which broke out during a raid in three neighbourhoods of the city to arrest wanted Shiite militiamen.
The districts -- Al-Ezza, Al-Jihad and Anwar Sadr -- are known strongholds of Mahdi Army militia members loyal to radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, the officer said.
Earlier Wednesday, the US military said its troops killed several militants who attacked Iraqi troops in Kut.
The military said Iraqi forces were patrolling the city on Tuesday when they were attacked by several "enemy fighters".
The Iraqi forces requested assistance from the US forces who provided ground and air support.
US troops also came under attack from a large number of "enemy fighters," the military said.
"The US special force returned fire, killing several enemy fighters and destroying two vehicles carrying machine guns," the statement said.
The US troops also noticed several suspects placing objects believed to be bombs at locations along the travel route for Iraqi and coalition forces.
It said the van carrying the explosives was destroyed by a US air strike.
MyWay
"Seventeen people have been killed, including five children and a female college student. Others are young men," Mamoon Ajil, registrar at Kut's Al-Zahra hospital said.
On Tuesday, Iraqi police said at least 10 people were killed in the clashes which broke out during a raid in three neighbourhoods of the city to arrest wanted Shiite militiamen.
The districts -- Al-Ezza, Al-Jihad and Anwar Sadr -- are known strongholds of Mahdi Army militia members loyal to radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, the officer said.
Earlier Wednesday, the US military said its troops killed several militants who attacked Iraqi troops in Kut.
The military said Iraqi forces were patrolling the city on Tuesday when they were attacked by several "enemy fighters".
The Iraqi forces requested assistance from the US forces who provided ground and air support.
US troops also came under attack from a large number of "enemy fighters," the military said.
"The US special force returned fire, killing several enemy fighters and destroying two vehicles carrying machine guns," the statement said.
The US troops also noticed several suspects placing objects believed to be bombs at locations along the travel route for Iraqi and coalition forces.
It said the van carrying the explosives was destroyed by a US air strike.
MyWay
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