Iraq, US troops under fire as rebels exploit power vacuum

BAGHDAD – Iraqi rebels staged bomb attacks yesterday and battled US forces in a wave of violence that has seen the US military suffer one of its deadliest months since the 2003 invasion, as the country’s protracted power vacuum dragged.

Bickering politicians warned that talks on forming a government of national unity that have already dragged on four months could take another month amid new differences between Iraq’s rival factions. Six people were killed in insurgent attacks yesterday, including four in a roadside bomb near a restaurant in north Baghdad.Iraqi troops meanwhile launched a massive search operation in the Sunni district of Adhamiyah after fierce exchanges with insurgents on Monday.Five rebels were killed and seven captured in the seven-hour firefight but dozens more were believed to have melted away, the US military said.US troops also came under massive attack in the western city of Ramadi on Monday, with several car bombs being driven at the heavily fortified government building that houses a marine base as well as the offices of the provincial governor.The marines came under fire from a nearby mosque, the military said, adding that it was the fourth time in a month that the place of worship had been abused by the rebels.Nearly 50 US troops have been killed across Iraq since April 1, marking one of the bloodiest periods for the military since the invasion.- Nampa-AFPSix people were killed in insurgent attacks yesterday, including four in a roadside bomb near a restaurant in north Baghdad.Iraqi troops meanwhile launched a massive search operation in the Sunni district of Adhamiyah after fierce exchanges with insurgents on Monday.Five rebels were killed and seven captured in the seven-hour firefight but dozens more were believed to have melted away, the US military said.US troops also came under massive attack in the western city of Ramadi on Monday, with several car bombs being driven at the heavily fortified government building that houses a marine base as well as the offices of the provincial governor.The marines came under fire from a nearby mosque, the military said, adding that it was the fourth time in a month that the place of worship had been abused by the rebels.Nearly 50 US troops have been killed across Iraq since April 1, marking one of the bloodiest periods for the military since the invasion.- Nampa-AFP