US and Iraqi forces left a mosque they were raiding in search of suspected insurgents in Mosul today after coming under fire.
US troops and Iraqi National Guards had surrounded the Thi al-Nuraid mosque in the northern city during today's midday prayer sermon and broke the gate of the compound.
Unarmed worshippers prevented the forces from entering the mosque. The US troops then sparked an uproar when they entered the women's section of the mosque, the preacher, Sheikh Rayan Tawfiq, said by telephone.
"I did my best to calm the people, but we don't want any Americans or any security organisation to go into the mosque under the pretext of arresting people," Mr Tawfiq said.
Insurgents later attacked US vehicles parked outside the mosque with rocket-propelled grenades, witnesses said.
The US-Iraqi force then withdrew, amid jubilation among the worshippers inside the mosque. There was no immediate word on any casualties or any comment from the US military.