‘Clinical’ US attacks in Iraq

BAGHDAD – US and Iraqi security forces launched attacks yesterday to flush out insurgents in northern Iraq, killing 12 people, the military and Iraqi officials said.

The operations are intended to restore interim government control in Tal Afar, about 50 kilometres west of Mosul, the military said. The military said the attacks were launched after negotiations between Nineveh Governer Duraid Kashmoula and local leaders failed to bring stability to the region.At least 12 people were killed, said Colonel Adnan Abdel-Rahman, a spokesman for the Iraqi Interior Ministry.US officials did not offer a figure for the number of dead in attacks in the agricultural region near the Syrian border.US and Iraqi forces clashed with insurgents earlier this month in the northern Iraqi city after launching an operations to destroy an alleged militant cell.Those clashes killed at least nine people and injured 50 others, hospital officials said.- Nampa-APThe military said the attacks were launched after negotiations between Nineveh Governer Duraid Kashmoula and local leaders failed to bring stability to the region.At least 12 people were killed, said Colonel Adnan Abdel-Rahman, a spokesman for the Iraqi Interior Ministry.US officials did not offer a figure for the number of dead in attacks in the agricultural region near the Syrian border.US and Iraqi forces clashed with insurgents earlier this month in the northern Iraqi city after launching an operations to destroy an alleged militant cell.Those clashes killed at least nine people and injured 50 others, hospital officials said.- Nampa-AP