Eight killed in battle in Mosul

A Iraqi politician says eight of his bodyguards have been killed during a gun battle with insurgents and helicopter-backed US forces.
The politician, Fawaz al-Jarba, told the BBC seven of his men died at the hands of the US troops.

The troops arrived at his house in the northern city of Mosul after one guard was killed by gunmen, Mr Jarba said.

The US military has confirmed the number of deaths, saying that "three terrorists" were among the dead.

Mr Jarba, a Sunni Muslim member of Iraq's National Assembly, said insurgents had started firing at his house and that his guards fired back. The clashes then came to the attention of US forces.

"The firing was coming from all directions and the Apaches (US helicopters) were bombing," Mr Jarba said. "The terrorists were firing at me. Why did the Americans start doing this too?"

The US military statement said an investigation had been launched into the incident.

The statement said forces from the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment had observed insurgents on a roof near Mr Jarba's house.

Mr Jarba was recently a candidate for parliamentary speaker. He has criticised Iraq's emerging political system for deepening divisions between communities.