Eight people have been killed in a U.S.-led military operation against suspected al-Qaida militants in the Iraqi town of Baquba.
The U.S. military says four terror suspects and four civilian women were killed in Wednesday's raid. Two other suspected insurgents and a woman were also wounded.
The military said in a statement that coalition forces try to mitigate the risk to civilians while pursuing insurgents. It said terrorists deliberately place innocent women and children in harm's way.
At least 13 people were killed Wednesday in other violence around Iraq, including an officer in Baghdad's Major Crimes Unit and an Iraqi soldier at a checkpoint near the northern city of Kirkuk. Also, the U.S. military says one American soldier and a U.S. Marine were killed Monday by enemy action in Al Anbar Province.
A U.S. military spokesman, Major General William Caldwell, says there has been an upsurge in suicide attacks against both civilians and security forces this week.
The spokesman said coalition forces try to mitigate the risk to civilians while pursuing insurgents. It said terrorists deliberately place innocent women and children in harm's way.
Also, the U.S. military says one American soldier and a U.S. Marine were killed Monday by enemy action in Al Anbar Province.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.