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Iraq strike 'kills 15 civilians' Iraq strike 'kills 15 civilians'
(20 minutes later)
The US military says 19 suspected insurgents and 15 civilians, including nine children, have been killed in an operation north of Baghdad.The US military says 19 suspected insurgents and 15 civilians, including nine children, have been killed in an operation north of Baghdad.
The operation was targeted at senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq, in the Lake Tharthar region, it said.The operation was targeted at senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq, in the Lake Tharthar region, it said.
An initial air raid killed four insurgents and more air strikes were launched to back up US ground troops, a statement said.An initial air raid killed four insurgents and more air strikes were launched to back up US ground troops, a statement said.
A further 15 insurgents were found dead along with six women and nine children.A further 15 insurgents were found dead along with six women and nine children.
The coalition statement expressed "regret" at the civilian deaths but blamed the loss of life on insurgents who it said had placed themselves among innocent people. 'Small-arms fire'
Small-arms fire
The US military said the initial air strike was launched after intelligence reports suggested senior members of al-Qaeda in Iraq were meeting in the area, 120km (75 miles) north of the capital.The US military said the initial air strike was launched after intelligence reports suggested senior members of al-Qaeda in Iraq were meeting in the area, 120km (75 miles) north of the capital.
The coalition said after the first air raid surveillance observed suspects fleeing to an area south of Lake Tharthar.The coalition said after the first air raid surveillance observed suspects fleeing to an area south of Lake Tharthar.
Coalition ground forces attacked a building in which insurgents were believed to be hiding but were engaged by small-arms fire, the statement said. Coalition ground forces attacked a building in which insurgents were believed to be hiding but were engaged by small-arms fire, the statement said. Further air strikes were then called in.
Further air strikes were then called in, it said. After securing the area, ground forces found another 15 dead suspected insurgents along with 15 dead civilians.
Two suspected militants, one woman and three children were wounded and another suspect was detained, the statement said.
Maj Brad Leighton, a Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, said: "We regret that civilians are hurt or killed while coalition forces search to rid Iraq of terrorism.
"These terrorists chose to deliberately place innocent Iraqi women and children in danger by their actions and presence."