Rebels target Iraqi security forces as 24 killed in attacks

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Away from the political storm in Baghdad, rebels stepped up attacks on Iraqi security forces, killing 17 security personnel and 7 civilians.

Eight policemen were killed in Tarmiyah, 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of Baghdad when masked gunmen riddled their bus with bullets, an interior ministry official said Monday.

The bus driver and two other civilians were also wounded in the attack.

Further north, five Iraqi army soldiers were killed when rebels fired a mortar at a mixed Iraqi and US military base in Al-Sainiya, 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of Baghdad.

Two more soldiers were also killed and three wounded as a roadside bomb detonated next to their patrol, said Iraqi army captain Hosam Mohammed.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050822/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrest_050822150026;_