US troops clash with Iraqi rebels

Iraqi insurgents reportedly occupied a government building in a town north of Baghdad before being driven out by US troops and Iraqi security forces.

Officials in the town of Khalis, 60km (40 miles) north of the capital, said gunmen attacked two police stations and occupied the city hall at dawn.

They say they were forced out after a two-hour exchange of fire.

One Iraqi policeman was injured and several rebels were reportedly killed in the attack.

A police officer said that about 100 rebels took part in the attack, and that they had left behind several mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.

US soldier killed

In another incident north of Baghdad, a US soldier was killed when a roadside bomb exploded next to his vehicle.

The attack happened in the town of Duluiya, 90km (58 miles) north of the capital.

It came as US, British and Iraqi government forces continued their operation against suspected insurgent strongholds around the cities of Latifiya and Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, reportedly arresting dozens of men suspected of launching attacks in the area.

The raids were part of Operation Plymouth Rock, which was launched on Tuesday against insurgents operating between the capital and Shia shrine cities of Karbala and Najaf.

It aims to close off escape routes for insurgents trying to escape from Falluja, which US and Iraqi forces reoccupied earlier this month after a week of fierce fighting.