U.S. troops backed by attack helicopters and militants clashed in this northern city on Tuesday with heavy exchanges machine gun fire being heard, the U.S. military and an Associated Press reporter at the scene said. U.S. forces were seen advancing into the eastern neighborhood of Dhubbat, a known insurgent stronghold in Mosul, 360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad, the AP reporter said. "Forces were attacked and called in helicopters to support them in the battle with insurgents," said U.S. military spokesman Sgt. John H. Franzen. He did not have further details. Heavy machine gun exchanges were taking place in the area between militants and U.S. forces, said the AP reporter who witnessed the clashes from the rooftop of a nearby home. American helicopters were also seen circling overhead.
