BAGHDAD, October 23, SPA -- U.S. helicopters opened fire on a group of men observed planting roadside bombs north of Baghdad on Tuesday, killing 14 Iraqis, including at least sixcivilians, the military said. The suspected militants ran into a nearby house after theinitial engagement and the Apache helicopter continued tofire at them, said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, a militaryspokeswoman in the area. Six civilians and five military aged men were killed andfive people were wounded and evacuated to a hospital innearby Tikrit, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad,she said, adding it was unclear how many of the men were inthe group planting the roadside bombs. Kageleiry had said eight military aged men were amongthose killed but later revised the figure to five and saidan investigation was under way, according to a report of the Associated Press. She expressed regret for the deaths of the civilians butblamed the insurgents for putting their lives in danger byrunning into the house to escape attack by the U.S. forces.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/492686