BAGHDAD, March 26 (SPA) - A U.S. air strike killed fiveIraqi civilians including a judge in the northern town of Tikriton Wednesday, Iraqi police said. U.S. forces acknowledged that civilians had been struckduring a battle with suspected militants which included strikes from fixed-wing aircraft. "After the air strike, coalition forces continued to receiveheavy enemy fire as armed terrorists ran from the target andattempted to hide in neighboring homes using the occupants ashuman shields," they said in a statement. "Preliminary assessment indicates that despite coalitionforces' efforts to protect them, several civilians were injuredor killed during the ensuing gunbattle," it was quoted as saying by Reuters. Iraqi police said five civilians were killed and 10 woundedin the air strike. The dead included Munaf Mehdi, a judge in thetown.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/540034