Iraqi civilians killed, hurt in gunbattle during US raid in northern Iraq

: Respective Iraki civilians were killed or hurt Wednesday inch a gunbattle between U.S. military personnel and suspected al-Qaida in Republic Of Republic Of Iraq insurrectionists in northern Iraq, the American military said.

Iraqi police force and witnessers said at least seven civilians were killed, included a local judge, and nine hurt when U.S. military personnel came under fire and called in an airstrike while raiding two houses in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.

Two houses were destroyed and at least three autos were burned to hulks, a occupant said, speaking on status of namelessness because of security concerns.

"I saw two women and a kid were running away from one of these houses," the occupant said.

A police force officer, who also declined to be identified because he wasn't authorized to let go of the information, said at least six charred organic structures and another victim were establish in the rubble. He said one house belonged to a local judge, who was among the dead. Today inch Africa & Center East

The U.S. armed forces said the operation was targeting a member of al-Qaida in Republic Of Iraq who was suspected of organizing auto bombardments for the group.

An airstrike was ordered after soldiers encountered heavy fire from insurrectionists using civilians as shields when they approached the house, according to the military statement.

"Preliminary appraisal bespeaks that despite alliance forces' attempts to protect them, respective civilians were injured or killed during the ensuing gunbattle," the military said.

Soldiers treated the hurt on land site and transported some to a military medical facility, it said, adding more than inside information would be released as they go available.

"Coalition armed forces units do every attempt to protect civilians during our operations, but al-Qaida in Republic Of Iraq terrorists go on to put women and children in harm's way," said U.S. military spokesman Maj. Winfield Danielson.

Tikrit is 130 kilometres (80 miles) North of Baghdad.