AMERICAN and Iraqi forces killed more than 100 Iraqis yesterday in a major assault to regain control of the insurgent stronghold of Samarra, trading gunfire with rebel fighters as they pushed toward the Iraqi city centre.

American and Iraqi forces launched a major assault to regain control of the insurgent stronghold of Samarra today, trading gunfire with rebel fighters as they pushed toward the Iraqi city centre.

More than 80 people were killed today in a major US and Iraqi army assault to retake control of the northern city of Samarra.