TIKRIT, Nov 30: US forces on Monday killed 46 Iraqis and wounded at least 18 others who tried to strike military convoys in Samarra, north of Iraq, a US military spokesman said.

Five US troops and a civilian were wounded by the attackers, said the spokesman, who identified himself as Colonel MacDonald.

The troops “repelled multiple ambush attempts on two separate logistical convoys, killing 46 attackers wounding at least 18 and capturing eight in the city of Samarra,” said MacDonald.

He said US forces used tank fire against the attackers, who were dressed in uniforms of the pro-Saddam Feddayeen fighters.—AFP