BAGHDAD, Oct 23: At least 10 people were killed and another 10 wounded early on Tuesday when US helicopters were called in to support ground troops near executed dictator Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit, police said.

An officer at police headquarters in Tikrit said the deaths were reported from the area between Tikrit and Samarra.

The US military confirmed that an operation was carried out in the area.

The Tikrit police officer said the US helicopters first fired at three farmers outside Dijla.

“These wounded farmers were then brought to the town by a group of people. This group later came under attack from troops in US helicopters,” he said, adding that in all 10 people were killed and another 10 wounded.—AFP