Official: No Signs Of Foreign Fighters In Fallujah Strike

U.S. Says Saturday Airstrike Hit Terrorist Safehouse

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A top officer in the U.S.-backed Fallujah Brigade is disputing the U.S. account of an airstrike Saturday.

U.S. officials say they hit a suspected safehouse of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s militant network.

But, the Iraqi officer said rescue workers found no trace of foreign fighters in the rubble left by the strike in Fallujah. He said the emergency officials did find the belongings of women and children.

The Iraqi colonel said his soldiers who helped in the rescue "saw the remains of bodies apparently belonging women and children."

Officials say at least 16 people died in the attack. Witnesses say at least 20 died.

Iraq’s interim prime minister says Iraqi leaders "welcome" strikes against militants — but says he wants more advance warning about such strikes.

This is the first significant U.S. military action in the city since Marines ended a three-week bloody siege against rebels.

2 Iraqi Soldiers Killed In Roadside Bombing

Two Iraqi soldiers are dead and 11 wounded after a roadside bombing on the highway to Baghdad’s airport.

U.S. servicemembers who were accompanying the Iraqis said the bombers waited for the Americans to pass before detonating the bomb as Iraqi troops drove by.

Lt. Col. Tim Ryan said the Iraqi soldiers are bigger targets than the Americans are now, adding that the terrorists "don’t care who they kill."

In an effort to undermine confidence in the interim government, insurgents have been steadily pounding police and security forces before the handover of sovereignty June 30.

The attack comes as Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi announced a restructuring of the country’s security forces and asked for international help until his forces are "fully capable." (AP)