US Troops Sucked Into New Iraq Skirmish

(Newser) – A week after President Obama declared an end to fighting by US troops in Iraq, American soldiers battled attackers at Baghdad's military headquarters yesterday. Dozens of people were injured and 12 killed. No Americans were injured. It was the first fighting involving US troops since the formal declaration of the end of combat last month. The attack, launched by just seven militants, was the second on the key site in two weeks, and highlighted continuing problems with Iraqi security forces. Two of the militants managed to fight their way inside the compound, and were killed only after they ran out of ammo and detonated their own suicide bombs, AP reports.

The US troops who joined the battle were stationed nearby to train Iraqi forces. Even though American troops are no longer formally engaged in combat in the nation, the US has agreed to make soldiers available if requested. The Iraqis also called on US helicopters, drones and bomb experts for aid. Two weeks ago a suicide bomber killed 61 people outside the same site.