BAGHDAD, Nov 27: A fresh outbreak of violence left dozens dead across Iraq on Monday as President Jalal Talabani finally reached Tehran and sought help to curb the bloodshed in his war-ravaged country.
Meanwhile, a US F-16 fighter jet crashed while flying in support of American ground troops fighting a battle just northwest of Baghdad and rebels also bombed the country's main northern oil distribution centre on Monday.
There was no news on the cause of the crash or the condition of the plane's single pilot, but a US military spokesman said the crash site had been secured.
Insurgents killed at least 35 people, many in Baghdad where a three-day curfew ended on Monday, enabling Talabani to fly to Tehran for a much-anticipated visit with his hardline counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
With the lifting of the curfew, more clashes erupted around the city, leaving over a dozen dead.Nine of those killed in Baghdad were police while four others were passers-by, said a medical source at Yarmuk hospital, adding that 20 policemen were also wounded.
The clashes took place in the western neighbourhood of Yarmuk and the southern areas of Saidiyah and Dura.
Further south mortars came crashing down on the Jisr Al Diyala neighbourhood, killing three and wounding 15 others.
Artillery duels between rival neighbourhoods have become increasingly common over the last few days, with the city often resounding with the boom of falling mortar shells.
Gunmen also attacked Baghdad's municipal offices in the city centre and clashed with guards, wounding four. They then kidnapped three others.
Just north of the capital, violence also ripped across the restive Diyala province with 14 people being killed in several incidents, including two oil ministry employees murdered in the town of Khalis.
In nearby Mahmudiyah, meanwhile, a massive pillar of black smoke could be seen in the sky following an oil pipeline rupture. US forces reported the area had been secured, but there was no immediate word on the cause of the incident.
Five more people were killed in Iraq, including four in a mobile telephone shop in Muqdadiyah in Diyala province. Police said gunmen first killed the shop owner and then planted a bomb which blew up as people gathered to attend to him.
At least 13 corpses were also found on Monday.—AFP
