News

BAGHDAD (AFP) – The US military on Friday said five insurgents from
an "Iranian-backed terrorist organisation" were killed in a shootout in
an Iraqi-led anti-smuggling operation southeast of Baghdad.

"Suspected Kataeb Hezbollah
terrorists were killed in the operation" overnight, a US army statement
said, at Ali ash-Sharqi, a village near the Iranian border and 265
kilometres (165 miles) from the Iraqi capital.

"While the number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, initial reports indicate five individuals were killed."

A security official in Amara, the capital of Maysan province, where the
incident took place, said seven people had been killed and two others
wounded in an exchange of fire involving American forces.