American air strikes killed at least 13 people and injured 52 early on Sunday in the northeastern Baghdad district of Sadr city, police sources said. According to Reuters, the U.S. military confirmed it had conducted early morning operations in Sadr city "targeting criminals believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of coalition soldiers in November 2006 and May 2007".
Two polices sources said the death toll from the U.S. strikes was 13, including women and children, and that 52 had been injured. One of the sources said the American attacks came after a U.S. vehicle was targeted by a roadside bomb.
"I don't yet have details on the number of terrorists killed, but I can say that we don't have any evidence of any civilians killed or wounded," said a spokesman for U.S. forces. "Coalition forces only engage hostile threats and make every effort to protect innocent civilians."
One of the police sources said the air strikes left several houses, shops and cars ablaze.
A health ministry source said 10 bodies and 42 wounded had been taken to Imam Ali hospital in Sadr city while another body and 25 injured had been received at a second hospital there.
