War
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U.S. and Iraqi forces battled their way into the heart of Samarra, a Sunni stronghold, moving house to house in search of militants in what appeared to be the first major offensive to regain control of areas lost to insurgents before the January elections.
More than 100 guerrillas were killed and 37 captured, according to an Iraqi official. The military said one American soldier was killed and four were wounded.
Backed by warplanes and tanks, some 5,000 troops swept in to seize the city hall, the main mosque and other important sites in Samarra, leaving only pockets of resistance after more than 12 hours of combat, according to the U.S. military and Iraqi authorities.
city appeared calm late Friday except for American snipers on rooftops firing at anybody appearing in the streets below. Troops ordered residents to stay inside and announced a 7 p...