Confrontations continued in Tel-Afer

American military leaders in Tel-Afer said that more than 400 gunmen were detained in the large scale operations which has been launched by the Iraqi forces backed by thousands of American soldiers against the city which is close to the Syrian borders, west of Iraq.

As a result of these clashes which erupted since days, many are warning against a humanitarian crisis in the area from where huge number of citizens fled to escape the confrontations.

On Monday, Iraqi officials said that three days of the large scale attacks by the American and Iraqi forces on the city resulted in killing 200 gunmen against the killing of seven Iraqi soldiers and 6 civilians while the American army said that no one of its soldiers was injured.

Clashes were renewed on Monday evening in the old city of Tel-Afer with the gunmen after the Iraqi forces besieged them in their fortified shelters and detained 21 of their main leaders.

Military sources said that large number of gunmen fled from the city at the start of the military operation last Saturday.

The Iraqi official also indicated to seizing amounts of vehicle including rockets, and explosives. The Iraqi defense ministry said that its forces almost control all western areas of Tel-Afer.

News reports said that al-Qaida organization official in Tel-Afer, Hassan Muhammad Ali known as Abi al-Qasem, was killed together with his two escorts in an air bombardment against the city.

Various areas of the country on Monday witnessed a series of attacks and explosions and clashes that resulted in killing several Iraqis including two Sunni Scholars in Baqouba, soldiers and police members.