US air strike in Baghdad kills 14

BAGHDAD: A US air strike on a Baghdad neighbourhood before dawn on Thursday killed 14 civilians while they were sleeping and destroyed several houses, Iraqi interior and defence ministry officials said.   

The officials said US helicopters fired on houses in the Al-Washash neighbourhood of Mansour district between 2.00 am and 3.00 am while in pursuit of insurgents.   

At least 10 people were wounded and were admitted to the nearby Al-Yarmuk hospital.   

"The attacks on the houses took place while people were sleeping. There were no clashes. The area had been quiet," said an interior ministry official who did not want to be named.   

"Two to five houses were destroyed. Among the wounded are several women," he said.   

US military officials could not immediately be reached for comment.