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'Woman' bomber hits Iraq police 'Woman' bomber hits Iraq police
(about 3 hours later)
A suicide bomber reported to be a woman has attacked a police recruiting centre in Iraq, leaving at least 14 dead.A suicide bomber reported to be a woman has attacked a police recruiting centre in Iraq, leaving at least 14 dead.
About 20 people were reported to have been wounded in the attack on a large crowd of would-be officers at a centre in Muqdadiya, north-east of Baghdad.About 20 people were reported to have been wounded in the attack on a large crowd of would-be officers at a centre in Muqdadiya, north-east of Baghdad.
Female suicide bombings are unusual but not unprecedented in Iraq. In Baghdad, five civilians were killed by a car bomb near the university.
In a separate incident, the US military announced three soldiers had died in a roadside bomb attack on their patrol unit on Monday. The US military also announced three soldiers died in a roadside bomb attack in Baghdad on Monday, and another in combat in western Anbar province.
One other soldier was wounded. These latest deaths bring the estimates of the number of US military fatalities to about 40 this month.
These latest deaths bring the estimates of the number of US military deaths to about 40 this month. Tallies vary, but about 3,280 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the 2003 invasion.
Tallies vary, but about 3,280 US soldiers are thought to have been killed in Iraq since the 2003 invasion.
'No crash''No crash'
The figure dressed in the traditional black abaya had detonated a suicide bomb within a group of people who were seeking recruitment forms to join the police force, local officials said. In Muqdadiya, the figure dressed in the traditional black abaya detonated a bomb within a crowd of people who were seeking recruitment forms to join the police force, local officials said.
Both recruits and passers-by were reported to be among the casualties.Both recruits and passers-by were reported to be among the casualties.
Women have undertaken suicide bombings in Iraq before. A major attack in February at a university in Baghdad was carried out by a female bomber. Female suicide bombings are unusual but not unprecedented in Iraq. A major attack in February at a university in Baghdad was carried out by a female bomber.
Meanwhile a US spokeswoman has denied reports that a US helicopter had crashed in the centre of the Iraqi capital. Meanwhile, the US military has denied earlier reports that a US helicopter had crashed in the centre of the capital.
A helicopter took small arms fire but returned safely to the base Josslyn AberleUS spokeswoman
Iraqi police reported clashes around the scene of the apparent incident, saying the US had sealed the area off.Iraqi police reported clashes around the scene of the apparent incident, saying the US had sealed the area off.
But Lieutenant Colonel Josslyn Aberle told AFP news agency the aircraft had not gone down. However, a US military spokesman in Baghdad, Lt Col Christopher Garver, told the BBC that a US helicopter was fired upon but returned safely to its base.
"We had an incident. A helicopter took small arms fire but returned safely to the base," she said.
"The pilot had control all the time. It happened somewhere in Baghdad. We are still gathering details."
The US has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since the invasion with the loss of a number of soldiers.The US has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since the invasion with the loss of a number of soldiers.
Last Thursday, a helicopter came down in the south of the country after apparently coming under heavy fire from insurgents.