US soldiers killed by ‘hostile action’
Two American soldiers have died after their unit came under fire in the north western Iraqi town of Falluja.
Seven other soldiers were wounded in the attack, according to reports from the US military.
An unknown number of attackers ambushed the troops using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. The soldiers fired back killing two of the attackers and capturing a further six.
Falluja is a ‘flashpoint’ town around 50 kilometres (30 miles) north west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
There have been several similar attacks of ‘hostile action’ in recent days as frustration at America’s military presence in Iraq spills over into violence. One soldier was killed and another injured north-west of Baghdad yesterday and several hours later a US military vehicle ran over a landmine on the outskirts of Baghdad, killing one soldier and injuring three more. Two further attacks involving grenades failed to injure US troops.
Coalition forces are struggling to gain control of the country as civil disorder continues. Major General Tim Cross, the British number two in the Office of Reconstruction and Human Assistance, has publicly complained that there are too few troops stationed in Iraq to bring about order.
US civilian administrator Paul Bremer insists the allies are doing all they can to ensure stability in the country and stated that conditions for people outside Baghdad were generally better than in the capital. A police force set up to restore civilian order is still not fully operational and in some areas key services have still not been restored.
