Nine US troops, 100 rebels killed in Iraq assault

BAGHDAD - Nine American troops have been killed in an offensive against insurgents and militants in Iraq's most rebellious province, the US military said yesterday.

Four of those were killed on Wednesday when their assault amphibian vehicle hit an explosive device, the military said.

Backed by aircraft, US Marines, sailors and soldiers launched Operation Matador one week ago in a bid to root out insurgents and militants from the western Anbar province.

The US military estimated about 100 guerrillas were killed in the assault.

Based mostly in Anbar, insurgents have stepped up suicide bombings and other attacks since Iraq announced its new government on April 28, killing more than 400 people.

The Anbar offensive is focused on an area near the Euphrates north and west of the town of Qaim, close to the Syrian border, which Iraqi officials say is used by insurgents to cross over into Iraq and carry out attacks.

Damascus denies Iraqi accusations that it allows guerrillas to enter Iraq from its border.

Marines launched several air strikes on targets on Friday, including a "terrorist" safe house, the military said. A second air raid targeted insurgents manning a vehicle checkpoint.

The US military said Marines in Qaim witnessed clashes between rival guerrilla groups. That could not be independently confirmed. But officials in Anbar say militant followers of al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, have been clashing with tribal groups.

- REUTERS