BAGHDAD, Oct 30: Eight US marines were killed on Saturday in the bloodiest attack on American forces in Iraq in almost seven months as troops prepared for a major assault to capture the militant bastions of Ramadi and Fallujahh.
With bloodshed continuing across the country, seven people were killed by a suspected car bomb outside the Al Arabiya television network's office in Baghdad, and seven others died in clashes with US troops in an area dubbed the triangle of death southwest of the capital.
The US military said the marines were killed in the restive western province of Anbar, which includes Fallujah and Ramadi. Nine marines were also wounded.
Witnesses said earlier they had seen three US vehicles burning on a road east of Fallujah. It was not clear if that was where the marine casualties occurred.
The deaths bring to 858 the number of US troops killed in combat. The total number of US troop deaths, including accidents and other causes, is now almost 1,120.
US marine commanders said on Friday they were preparing for a major assault on Fallujah and Ramadi.
The aim is to crush guerillas and root out suspected Arab militants led by declared Al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al Zarqawi to enable Iraq's interim government to hold elections in January.
At least a dozen air strikes hit southeastern Fallujah, witnesses said. Marine spokesman Lt Lyle Gilbert said marines on the edge of Fallujah had come under mortar fire from militants and called in artillery support.
Lt Gilbert called the action the "most consistent and drawn out artillery barrage in recent days", but did not mark the beginning of the long-anticipated US offensive.
Marine commanders say they face a volatile mix of up to 2,000 Iraqi and foreign fighters entrenched in the city. Some are thought to be former army officers loyal to Saddam Hussein, others militants led by Zarqawi, a Jordanian.
Zarqawi, America's top enemy in Iraq, has claimed responsibility for some of the bloodiest attacks on occupation forces and the beheading of foreign hostages.
EXPLOSION KILLS SEVEN: In Baghdad, Al Arabiya television said seven people were killed and 16 wounded in the blast outside its office, in an upmarket neighbourhood.
Television footage showed doctors stitching the bloodied face of one woman as she writhed in agony. Other victims, their clothes bloody and torn, were carried into the crowded hospital amid chaotic scenes.
Najwa Qassem, senior Arabiya correspondent in Baghdad, said the blast had started a fire and damaged the building.
She said a suspected car bomb had exploded in the parking lot but could not be sure the television station was the intended target.
CLASHES: Seven Iraqis were killed and 14 wounded in clashes Between guerillas and US troops southwest of Baghdad, when The militants attacked US soldiers raiding buildings.
KIDNAPPING: Militants have kidnapped two more foreigners _ a Somali truck driver and a Sudanese translator.
Confusion surrounds the fate of Japanese backpacker Shosei Koda, kidnapped while travelling by bus on holiday, after medical checks found a beheaded body discovered on Friday was not his.-Reuters
15 Iraqis killed
HILLA: Fifteen Iraqis died and another 20 were wounded in an exchange of gunfire south of Baghdad, hospital sources said, while the US military reported killing five suspected rebels during clashes.
"The hospital admitted 15 dead and 20 injured," said Abdel Razzak al-Janabi, the head of Iskandariyah hospital.-AFP
