BAGHDAD U.S. and Iraqi forces have retaken a remote Iraqi village that was attacked by Sunni extremists Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Fred Johnson says the militants attacked the village of Sherween after fleeing the U.S. offensive in Baqouba. Johnson said the U.S.-Iraqi forces killed 19 militants in the battle overnight. He did not comment on any casualties among coalition forces.

He said the attackers had fled Baqouba, focus of the U.S. offensive north of the capital, and had attacked Sherween 35 miles to the northeast in an attempt to "raise the morale" of their fighters.

The deputy governor of Diyala province says armed residents fought the attackers as best they could but the insurgents had taken over. Residents of Sherween had telephoned Iraqi officials a day earlier pleading for help, saying armed villagers were trying to defend themselves against the attackers. They also reported dozens killed on both sides.

Also today, a German woman who was kidnapped in Iraq has been released after 155 days in captivity, but her son is still being held hostage, Germany’s foreign minister said Wednesday.  … more news from today