Iraqi-US Forces Kill as many as 10 Civillians in recent gunbattle

Approximately 10 civilians have been killed and many more injured during a gun battle between Iraqi-US forces and   rebels in Iraq's Maysan province near the Iranian border.

On Friday Iraqi-US forces cam under fire as they approached the villae of Ali al-Sharqi southeast of Baghdad.


US officials claim that 5 fighters died, but local officials say as many as 10 civilians may have died.
The troops were on a mission searching out allegedly smuggled weapons that came from Iran


"The troops were fired on by wanted persons, forcing troops to return fire...," Major General Mohammed al-Askari, a defence ministry spokesman, said.
Maytham Lafta, a local official, said at least 10 "innocent people'' were killed, including two women.
A provincial police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorised to release the information, also said 10 people were killed.
A US military statement said security forces detained 12 people believed to be members of Kateb Hezbollah.


aljazeera.net
NewYorkTimes.com
AP