Spokesman: 'Tens of people' killed in U.S. air strikes in Mashahda

An oil pipeline on fire after insurgent sabotage in Mashahda. No word was given on the impetus for the air strikes, or how many civilians were in the area at the time.

BAGHDAD, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Iraqi troops supported by U.S. aircraft killed "tens" of militants at a base just north of Baghdad early on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said.

Ministry spokesman Brigadier Abdul-Kareem Khalaf said a large Iraqi force clashed with insurgents at the base in a rural area of Mashahda at dawn. U.S. air strikes destroyed the base.

"Tens of people were killed in the operation ... We wiped out their base," Khalaf said.

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