Dozens of US marines were injured when their forces fired on one another around the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, a journalist with the troops reportedtoday.
He said the command post headquarters was apparently hit with shell and mortar fire, leaving 37 wounded, including three in critical and two in serious condition, according to officers.
The AFP correspondent saw at least six vehicles destroyed in the compound, including three truck transporters, two Humvee all-terrain vehicles and one truck-mounted crane.
Officers said the headquarters compound returned fire butcasualty reports from the other side were not available.
A US Central Command spokesman in Qatar said the incident was being investigated but he could provide no further details.