Rebels killed in clash with US troops

Two people were shot dead today when rebels clashed with US forces near the Iraqi city of Baqouba for the second time in as many days, US military officials said.

A US Army 1st Infantry patrol came under fire at about 7.45am in the town of Buhriz, near Baqouba, 50 kilometres (35 miles) north-east of Baghdad.

Troops returned fire, killing two of the rebels, a military official said on condition of anonymity.

Baqouba, a largely Sunni Muslim area that formed a core of support for Saddam Hussein’s former regime, has been the scene of frequent clashes between coalition forces and rebels. The area stretches to the north and west of Baghdad, and is part of the northern Diala province.

Yesterday, another 1st Infantry patrol came under attack in the same area. There were no US casualties resulting from either attack.

Military officials said seven rebels had been killed in the two days of skirmishes, but officials at Baqouba General Hospital said five people had died and 15 were injured.

However, rebels often do not bring wounded fighters to the hospital out of fear of arrest by US soldiers.