Iraq: 12 'militants' killed in US raid

US and Iraqi forces killed 12 suspected insurgents and arrested 16 in a dawn raid south of Baqouba today, an Iraqi military official said.

The operation occurred in al-Dawasir, about six miles south of Baqouba, the capital of Diyala province north-east of Baghdad. US and Iraqi troops have been battling Sunni fighters and Shiite militias in Diyala for months.

An Iraqi army official said two of those killed had Egyptian passports. One Iraqi soldier was killed and two were wounded in the clashes.

Troops seized weapons and ammunition, and exploded more than 70 bombs which had been planted in the area, he said.