Iraq tribal clashes leave 15 dead

Clashes between militants and Sunni tribesmen in Babil province in central Iraq have left at least 15 people dead, officials say.

The violence comes ahead of a transfer of security in the province from US to Iraqi troops, which the governor says is to take place on Thursday.

The clashes continued for about two hours in the town of Jurf al-Sakhr.

The militants fought members of two Sunni tribes who had formed an anti-al-Qaeda militia last year.

A number of people were also injured in the clashes.

Suicide blast

Haider al-Lami, a police officer in the provincial capital, Hilla, told AFP news agency the battle began at about 0500 (0100 GMT) in Jurf al-Sakhr, a border town between mainly Shia Babil province and mainly Sunni Anbar.

The town had experienced serious violence following the US-led invasion in 2003 but the anti-al-Qaeda militia formed by the al-Osan and al-Ojan tribes had helped bring some stability.

Babil's governor, Salem al-Saleh Meslmawe, and its police chief, Maj-Gen Fadhel Radad, told AFP the handover of security was to take place on Thursday, although the US military has not confirmed a date.

The province would be the 12th of 18 to be handed back to the Iraqis.

Babil has seen much sectarian violence, including a suicide attack in Hilla in March last year that left more than 100 Shia pilgrims dead.