A series of bombings targeting security forces killed four people in two Iraqi cities today, officials said.

At least 20 Iraqis were killed in clashes early today in Ramadi, where US ground troops and warplanes have conducted a series of operations over recent days targeting Sunni insurgents, police and medical workers said.

A suicide bomber killed 13 people in an attack today next to the heavily fortified area in central Baghdad housing the interim government and US embassy, while eight US Marines died in combat in western Iraq.