U.S. Minesweeper damaged in Kut blast

WASSIT / IraqiNews.com: A U.S. minesweeper has been damaged by an explosive charge that blew up against an American Army patrol in southern Iraq’s Nu’maniya township in Wassit Province on Wednesday, a Wassit police source said. “A U.S. Army’s minesweeper was set on fire and damaged, when an explosive charge blew up against an American Army patrol that was passing through Nu’maniya township, 40 km to the north of Kut on Wednesday,” the police source told IraqiNews.com news agency. There have not yet been any reports on any casualties, the source noted. He said the U.S. forces had beaten a number of police officers, who were at the venue of the blast when it took place, giving no further details. Kut, the center of Wassit Province, is 180 km to the south of Baghdad. SKH (TS)/SR 599