Tornado Alley (PROG)

[StephanieVanbryce]

US forces help repel attack on Baghdad military HQ

By SINAN SALAHEDDIN (AP) – 6 hours ago

BAGHDAD — American officials say that U.S. troops helped repel a complex attack by a group of heavily armed militants against a Baghdad military headquarters.

The fighting comes five days after the U.S. said it formally ended combat operations in Iraq.

A U.S. military spokesman said the Americans helped provide suppressive fire Sunday while Iraqi Army soldiers located two terrorists who had entered the compound.

Twelve people were killed in the attack. None of them were Americans.

Lt. Col. Eric Bloom also said the Iraqi military asked for support from helicopters, drones and explosives experts.

While it's common for the Iraqi military to ask for aerial or explosives help, it's rarer for American troops to assist in such complex attacks as they're unfolding.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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