24 killed in Baghdad battle

A battle between coalition forces and insurgents left 24 rebels dead and a number of soliders injured, the US military said.

Seven insurgents were also wounded, the military said in a statement. No other details were given.

It said fighting broke out when the insurgents attacked a convoy as it travelled through the Salman Pak area, 20 miles southeast of Baghdad. The six soldiers were treated at a coalition medical facility, the military said.

No other details were given.

The clash was among the largest involving insurgents since the January 30 elections, and came on a day of bloody attacks by militants.