US planes spotted over Baghdad

Iraqi soldiers backed by US troops battled gunmen in central Baghdad early today, and explosions were heard in the area, police, witnesses and the US military said.

American warplanes screeched across the Iraqi capital, and could be seen flying low over the Haifa Street area.

Police said the clashes erupted when gunmen attacked Iraqi army checkpoints and that Iraqi soldiers appealed to the US military for help.

American forces sealed off roads and joined Iraqi troops in raiding houses in pursuit of the gunmen, police said.

The Iraqi defence ministry issued a statement saying 11 people were arrested, including seven Syrians.

The US military said only three people had been arrested.

A US military spokesman said American and Iraqi forces launched “targeted raids to capture multiple targets, disrupt insurgent activity and restore Iraqi Security Forces control of North Haifa Street”.

Troops were receiving small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fire attacks during the operation, the statement from Lieutenant Colonel Scott Bleichwehl said.