A US military helicopter air assault has killed eight Iraqi civilians, including two children, in Baiji, north of Baghdad.

Colonel Mudhher al-Qaisi, Baiji’s police chief, told Reuters news agency on Thursday that the attack targeted a car of shepherds who were in a farming area in the town late on Wednesday.

“This is a criminal act. It will make the relations between Iraqi citizens and the US forces tense. This will negatively affect security improvements,” al-Qaisi said.

Police Major Ahmed Hussein said two boys aged eight and 11 were among the victims.

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