Sunni sheik: U.S. forces killed my fighters

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Sunni sheik: U.S. forces killed my fighters
By Robert H. Reid - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 14, 2007 18:52:26 EST

BAGHDAD — A leader of a Sunni group formed to resist al-Qaida in Iraq claimed Wednesday that U.S. troops mistakenly killed dozens of his fighters during a 12-hour battle north of Baghdad. He said he tried repeatedly to call the Americans and tell them they were fighting “their friends.”

U.S. military officials said American troops killed 24 fighters and captured 16 in a battle in the same area, saying the fight began as soldiers searched for al-Qaida extremists thought to be hiding there.

Mansour Abid Salim of the Taji Awakening Council told al-Jazeera television that the clashes erupted late Tuesday and continued until Wednesday morning.

“Right from the first attack last night, we have continuously been contacting American commanders that they are hitting us, their friends,” he said.

He said the Americans ignored special markings used to identify Sunni fighters who had broken with al-Qaida and joined with the U.S. and its Iraqi allies.

U.S. spokesmen in Baghdad said they were still gathering details of the fighting, which occurred near Taji, an American installation about 12 miles north of the capital.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_iraqclash_071114/