This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6981128.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
US air strike in Baghdad kills 14 | US air strike in Baghdad kills 14 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 14 people have been killed and nine wounded in a US air strike overnight in the west of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police have said. | At least 14 people have been killed and nine wounded in a US air strike overnight in the west of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police have said. |
Several houses were destroyed in the attack, which took place at about 0300 (2300 GMT) in the Washash neighbourhood of the city's Mansour district. | |
The US military said it was aware of the report, but made no comment. | The US military said it was aware of the report, but made no comment. |
Mansour is mostly Sunni, but there is a pocket where there is strong support for Moqtada Sadr's Mehdi Army militia. | Mansour is mostly Sunni, but there is a pocket where there is strong support for Moqtada Sadr's Mehdi Army militia. |
The BBC's Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says US forces have launched several operations against what they call rogue elements of the group in recent weeks. | The BBC's Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says US forces have launched several operations against what they call rogue elements of the group in recent weeks. |
The radical Shia cleric suspended its activities for six months just over a week ago, but there are many dissidents who think they should continue fighting, our correspondents says. | The radical Shia cleric suspended its activities for six months just over a week ago, but there are many dissidents who think they should continue fighting, our correspondents says. |
'Peaceful neighbourhood' | |
Iraqi defence and interior ministry officials said US military helicopters had fired on the houses in Washash early on Thursday morning while in pursuit of insurgents. | |
A local resident, Abu Ali Saad, said the helicopters had arrived shortly after a large number of US military vehicles moved into the area. | |
We are a peaceful neighbourhood - there are no militia here Ammar AssemLocal resident | |
"There were tanks and armoured vehicles and many troops," he told the AFP news agency. | |
"The tanks started firing then the helicopters came. Missiles were fired from the air. Houses were destroyed. A family of five were killed in this house," he said, pointing to the remains of his neighbour's home. | |
Mr Saad said everyone in the area had been sleeping and that he had heard no exchanges of fire before the US troops arrived. | |
"We are a peaceful neighbourhood. There are no militia here," he added. | |
Another local resident, Ammar Assem, said he had been prevented from taking two of his wounded neighbours to hospital. | |
"They fired on my car when I tried to leave the area. I had to go back," he said. | |
Several wounded were later admitted to the nearby Yarmouk hospital. |