(Baghdad, Iraq-AP) December 1, 2005 - Talks between US officers and Iraqi tribal leaders have been interrupted by mortar fire.
Apparently nobody was hurt in the attack Thursday in the western town of Ramadi, which has been a hotbed of anti-US resistance.
Residents say militants ran into the streets and opened fire before fleeing. They left behind graffiti and posters claiming to be members of al-Qaida-in-Iraq.
The US military says a single rocket-propelled grenade was fired at an observation post.
US and Iraqi troops launched a new offensive Friday near Ramadi. 2,000 American Marines, soldiers and sailors are being backed up by about 500 Iraqi troops. The mission is to clear out a region along the Euphrates River said to be a "safe area" used by militants to make car bombs.
In Baghdad, Iraq's top human rights official has been sacked, reportedly by the prime minister. His ouster is linked to an investigation of alleged prisoner abuse and torture by Iraqi security police.
Posted 8:41am by Bryce Mursch
