MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Heavy fighting erupted near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul between U.S.-led forces and insurgents on Saturday and at least eight people were killed and 40 wounded, witnesses and hospital officials said.
A U.S. military helicopter was forced to land near the village of Tallafar, near Mosul, and the two crew members aboard the U.S. UH-58 were injured, a U.S. military spokesman said. He said it was not immediately clear what forced the helicopter to land but it happened as fighting raged in the area.
Explosions and machinegun fire could be heard in Tallafar, about 242 miles north of Baghdad, a Reuters witness at the scene said. He said the wounded included women and children. U.S. helicopters were seen flying overheard.
"Civilians are being brought in into the hospital. We expect the number of casualties to increase," a doctor said.
Iraqi police sealed off the area where the fighting was taking place. Witnesses said fighting erupted when Iraqi troops, backed by U.S. forces, tried to conduct searches in the area. [...]
Clashes Kill Eight People in N. Iraqi City
An update to the earlier stories.
[Link to Full Article]MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Heavy fighting erupted near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul between U.S.-led forces and insurgents on Saturday and at least eight people were killed and 40 wounded, witnesses and hospital officials said.
A U.S. military helicopter was forced to land near the village of Tallafar, near Mosul, and the two crew members aboard the U.S. UH-58 were injured, a U.S. military spokesman said. He said it was not immediately clear what forced the helicopter to land but it happened as fighting raged in the area.
