17 US soldiers killed in helicopter crash, attacks in Iraq

Some 17 American military men were at least killed in Iraq in various attacks and in a helicopter crash in what was described as the largest of human losses in the lines of the American lines within one day since months.

Some 12 American military men were killed in the crash of their Black Hawk helicopter, 12 km to the east of Tel-Afer, north Iraq. A statement by the American army said the helicopter was flying in a mission on Saturday evening between the American bases in north Iraq.

Investigations started regarding the incident which took place one year after the killing of 31 American marines in a helicopter crash in west Iraq.

In west Baghdad, three marines were killed by light gunfire in three attacks near Falluja city. A statement by the American army said that two other marines were killed on Saturday in two attacks by bombs near Falluja.

Meantime, Iraqi security sources announced the killing of four Iraqis and injuring of other 27 in attacks in Baghdad and Jaloula', northeast of Baghdad. Sheikh Muhammad al-Mazouri, deputy chairman of the Muslim Scholars Union in Kurdistan was killed at the hands of the American forces in Irbil city in the north of Iraq.

Four civilians were injured as a result of a booby trapped car explosion that was parked near a barrack for the Iraqi army in the industrial quarters east of Falluja city. The explosion targeted an American vehicle and led to damaging one military vehicle and other sedan cars.