Ten Iraqi Security Personnel Killed By U.S. Fire

U.S. military spokesmen could not confirm reports of the latest shooting in the Sunni Muslim stronghold 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of Baghdad which has seen persistent anti-U.S. attacks since U.S.-led forces overthrew Saddam Hussein in April.

While violence flared again in Fallujah, the determination of U.S. forces to end unauthorized armed patrols by Iraqi militia in the central Shiite holy city of Najaf faced its first major test with crowds turning out for weekly prayers.

The shooting in Fallujah shortly after midnight Thursday was one of the most serious incidents in the restive city.

Police chief Qahtan Adnan Hamad said 10 members of the Iraqi Facilities Protection Services were killed and five Iraqi policemen were wounded by U.S. fire.

The 15 had given chase in two vehicles after gunmen in a BMW opened fire on the governor’s headquarters in the town center, district patrol chief Lieutenant Colonel Jalal Sabri told AFP.

When they reached the Jordanian Red Crescent hospital to the north of the town, they ran into U.S. soldiers who opened fire on them, he said. Hospital staff said several of the US rounds had hit the hospital.

The incident was one of several recent violent episodes around Fallujah, where tensions have boiled since U.S. forces shot dead at least 16 demonstrators shortly after Saddam was overthrown.

U.S. soldiers killed two Iraqis and wounded a third Thursday night after their car failed to stop at a checkpoint east of Fallujah, according to witness Mohsen Ali.

He said the passengers, sons of a Sunni tribal chief, were heading from Fallujah for Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, and did not see the newly installed checkpoint. U.S. military officials had no report of the incident.