Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The al-Qaida militant group in Iraq on Saturday claimed responsibility for Thursday's suicide attack in Anbar province that killed dozens of people, including U.S. soldiers.

    In a statement issued by the group on the internet, the self-styled Islamic State in Iraq said that it was behind the attack bya suicide bomber who blew himself up among dozens of people attending a meeting in the town council of Garmah, near the city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad.

    "A hero from the brigade of martyrs carried out an operation against a gathering of apostates of those so-called Sahwa (Awakening Council group) in the Garmah town in Anbar province," the statement said on Islamic website that carries messages of militant groups.

    On Friday, a U.S. military statement said three of its soldiers and two interpreters were killed in the attack.

    A local police said the soldiers were attending a meeting with local tribal anti-Qaida Awakening Councils leaders in the town 's council of Garmah when a suicide bomber wearing a military uniform blew his explosive-belt in the building.

    Some 20 people were killed, including local dignitaries and members of the local Awakening Council, and 20 others were wounded.

Three U.S. soldiers killed in W Iraq suicide bombing

    BAGHDAD, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Three American marines and two interpreters were killed on Thursday in Anbar province, the U.S. military said on Friday.

    A military statement said the victims were killed "in action against an enemy force" in the province. Full story