Battle leaves six Iraqis, including 5 girls, dead

BAGHDAD, Nov 28 (Reuters) Six Iraqis, including five girls ranging in age from infant to teenager, were killed today during a firefight between US soldiers and suspected insurgents in western Iraq, the US military said.

A US patrol in Ramadi, a Sunni insurgent stronghold, fired tank rounds, machine gun and small arms fire at two men who were shooting from the roof of a house at US soldiers clearing a roadside bomb, the military said in a statement.

After the battle the US patrol found six bodies inside the house. Another female found wounded at the scene refused treatment.

There were no US casualties.

''In a very tragic way, today reminds us that insurgents' actions throughout Iraq are felt by all,'' said military spokesman Marine Lt Col Bryan Salas. ''Efforts are under way to coordinate and offer available assistance to surviving family members.'' Ramadi is in Anbar province, scene of some of the fiercest fighting between US forces and insurgents.

REUTERS SBA BST0947