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Air strike levels house in Basra Air strike levels house in Basra
(about 1 hour later)
An air strike in the southern Iraqi city of Basra has destroyed a house and killed at least one occupant.An air strike in the southern Iraqi city of Basra has destroyed a house and killed at least one occupant.
The US military said a militant was killed but would not confirm Iraqi police reports that six civilians also died in the attack late on Wednesday. The US military said a militant died, but would not confirm reports from Iraqi sources that up to six civilians may also have been killed.
The house is in a militia stronghold of which witnessed fierce clashes during a recent government crackdown in Basra.The house is in a militia stronghold of which witnessed fierce clashes during a recent government crackdown in Basra.
Separately, police in northern Iraq said seven people were killed by a car bomb attack at an army checkpoint.Separately, police in northern Iraq said seven people were killed by a car bomb attack at an army checkpoint.
The attack also happened on Wednesday evening at al-Dayah, 25 kilometres from Mosul. The attack happened in al-Dayah, 25 kilometres from Mosul.
Correspondents say Mosul is believed to be the last major urban area of Iraq where Sunni insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda have a substantial presence. Correspondents say Mosul is believed to be the last major urban area of Iraq where Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaeda have a substantial presence.
The US military did not say if US or British aircraft carried out Wednesday night's raid in Basra. Both incidents were on Wednesday evening.
Military spokesman Lt David Russell said "aerial fire" had been directed against enemy forces fighting Iraqi troops in the city, where hundreds of people were killed in last week's upsurge of violence. Rescue effort
The Mehdi Army of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr ordered his fighters off the streets on Sunday. The US military later confirmed that US aircraft had carried out Wednesday night's air raid in Basra.
Separately, reports from the city of Hilla say US forces called in helicopter strikes during a clash with gunmen on Thursday. Military spokesman Lt David Russell said aerial fire had been directed against enemy forces fighting Iraqi troops in the city, where hundreds of people were killed in last week's upsurge of violence.
While we were preparing for evening prayer, US aircraft bombed this house Neighbour
News footage of the aftermath showed rescue workers searching for survivors in the rubble of the two-storey house.
Hospital officials said three bodies had been received, including two men and an elderly woman. Two women were being treated for injuries.
Witnesses said three people were still feared buried in the rubble.
"While we were preparing for evening prayer, US aircraft bombed this house. We rushed to save survivors but in vain," a neighbour was quoted as saying.
The Mehdi Army of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr ordered his fighters off the streets of Basra and other southern Iraqi cities on Sunday.
Meanwhile, reports from the southern city of Hilla say US forces called in helicopter strikes during a clash with gunmen on Thursday.
Iraqi police are quoted as saying five people were killed in the pre-dawn operation, including four policemen.Iraqi police are quoted as saying five people were killed in the pre-dawn operation, including four policemen.
Fighting broke out after US troops in civilian clothes entered a central district of Hilla, they said.Fighting broke out after US troops in civilian clothes entered a central district of Hilla, they said.
US military sources said the clash started after troops went to arrest rogue elements in the Mehdi Army.US military sources said the clash started after troops went to arrest rogue elements in the Mehdi Army.