Baghdad, 1 December 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Hospital officials say at least eight Iraqi civilians were killed during a clash between insurgents and the U.S. military in the central Iraqi town of Samarra yesterday. Emergency Department anesthetist Bassem Ibrahim told Agency France Press that the dead included a woman and a child. Hospital Director Abed Tawfiq said more than 60 wounded civilians were being treated.
There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials on the report.
A U.S. military spokesman had said 46 insurgents were killed and five U.S. soldiers and a civilian were wounded in the fighting, which he said was initiated by militants wearing uniforms of the pro-Saddam Hussein Fedayeen fighters.
The clash followed a series of attacks on Saturday and yesterday (29-30 November) largely targeting U.S. allies.
Two South Koreans, two Japanese diplomats, and seven Spanish intelligence agents died over the last two days. All three governments have expressed their commitment to Iraq.
There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials on the report.
A U.S. military spokesman had said 46 insurgents were killed and five U.S. soldiers and a civilian were wounded in the fighting, which he said was initiated by militants wearing uniforms of the pro-Saddam Hussein Fedayeen fighters.
The clash followed a series of attacks on Saturday and yesterday (29-30 November) largely targeting U.S. allies.
Two South Koreans, two Japanese diplomats, and seven Spanish intelligence agents died over the last two days. All three governments have expressed their commitment to Iraq.