More than 80 killed in US-led offensive on Iraqi city

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

Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Samarra, an insurgent stronghold north of Baghdad.

At least 80 bodies and more than 100 wounded were taken to the city’s general hospital, said Dr Khalid Ahmed. The hospital was running out bandages, oxygen and other supplies, he said.

Coalition troops moved into the city after midnight under cover of heavy fire, securing government and police buildings early today, the US command said.

Residents stayed in their homes as tanks and warplanes pounded the city. The sound of loud shelling mixed with the crackle of automatic gunfire continued into the morning. At least three houses were flattened and dozens of cars charred, residents said.

“We are terrified by the violent approach used by the Americans to subdue the city,” said Mahmoud Saleh, a 33-year-old civil servant. “My wife and children are scared to death and they have not being able to sleep since last night. I hope that the fighting ends as soon as possible.”

There were no immediate reports of US casualties.

Water and electricity services were cut off, and troops ordered residents to stay off the streets as they moved from house to house in search of insurgents. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was announced through loud-speakers.

US and Iraqi officials have pledged to assert control over insurgent enclaves ahead of national elections due in January to ensure all Iraqis have a chance to vote. Samarra is regarded as one of the top three rebel strongholds in Iraq, along with Fallujah and the Baghdad slum known as Sadr City.

Today’s assault came in response to “repeated and unprovoked attacks by anti-Iraqi forces” against Iraqi and coalition forces, a military statement said.

Its aim was to ”facilitate orderly government processes, kill or capture anti-Iraqi forces and set the conditions to proceed with infrastructure and quality of life improvements” in the city, about 60 miles north of the capital.

“Unimpeded access throughout the city for Iraqi security forces and multinational forces is non-negotiable,” the statement said.

The military said insurgent attacks and acts of intimidation against the people of Samarra had undermined the security situation in the city, regarded as one of the top three rebel strongholds in Iraq, along with Fallujah and the Baghdad slum known as Sadr City.

About 2,000 rebels were believed to be holed up in Samarra and CNN reported that coalition troops were taking the city “sector by sector.”

Along with US troops, soldiers from the 202nd Iraqi National Guard Battalion and 7th Iraqi Army Battalion were taking part in the operation. Such formations would normally involve several thousand troops.

Samarra has been under insurgent control and a virtual ”no-go” area for US troops since May 30.

The Americans returned briefly on September 9 under a peace deal brokered by tribal leaders under which US forces agreed to provide millions of dollars in reconstruction funds in exchange for an end to attacks on American and Iraqi troops.

In recent weeks, however, the city witnessed sporadic clashes between US troops and insurgents.

Masked gunmen carrying the flag of Iraq’s most feared terror group, Tawhid and Jihad, surfaced in force in Samarra on Tuesday, staging a defiant drive through the streets.