Fighting in western Iraq leaves 32 insurgents dead

Insurgents attacked US and Iraqi troops in western Iraq, triggering fire fights that left 32 insurgents dead, a US military statement said today

The attacks began shortly after noon local time and focused on US and Iraqi positions along the main road of the Anbar provincial capital, Ramadi, said the statement from the US. 2nd Marine Division.

Most of the fighting took place around a mosque in the centre of the town.

One US Marine and an Iraqi soldier suffered minor injuries during the attack, the US forces said.

Iraqi police also reported the clashes, but did not immediately have casualty figures.

“Marines reported they received sustained small arms fire originating from the mosque,” the statement said. “A nearby US Army outpost also reported receiving enemy fire from the area surrounding the mosque.”

The US forces estimated at least 50 insurgents took part in the co-ordinated attack, which quickly dissipated when the Iraqi and US forces returned fire, the military said. Iraqi troops entered the mosque and found spent ammunition.

“Mosques and other religious and cultural sites are given a protected status by Iraqi army and coalition forces,” the statement said. “However, once attacks or military operations are launched from these sites, Iraqi and coalition (troops) will respond with force in order to return the site to its protective status.”

US forces have conducted a number of operations in western Iraq in the previous weeks to both take control of towns occupied by insurgents and set the stage for parliamentary elections on December 15.