At least one US soldier killed on morning of June 26 in an ambush near Baghdad airport, according to AP. The aftermath of the deaths of British troops in Majar is reported, as is a claim of responsibility for attacks by a previously unknown Iraqi group.
By NADIA ABOU EL-MAGD, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. military vehicle was ambushed Thursday on the western outskirts of Baghdad, and at least one American soldier was killed, soldiers at the scene said.
The morning attack on the road leading to Baghdad International Airport apparently involved an explosive device placed on the road, said the U.S. soldiers, who spoke on condition of anonymity. It appeared the device could have been detonated either by remote control or a trip wire.
The soldier who died suffered a major wound in the face, the soldiers said. Military commanders released no other details.
It was the latest in a spiraling series of attacks against U.S.-led occupation forces in Iraq. At least 19 U.S. soldiers have died in hostile fire since major combat was officially declared over in May.
On Tuesday, six British soldiers were killed in southern Iraq during a shooting rampage by townspeople furious over the killing of four neighbors during a demonstration, apparently at the hands of British troops.
That attack, in the town of Majar al-Kabir, 180 miles southeast of Baghdad, had shattered the peace that had reigned in Shiite-dominated southern Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein — and spurred British authorities to consider requiring troops to wear body armor and helmets.
Recent attacks on U.S. forces near Baghdad have been blamed on remnants of Saddam's regime or his Sunni followers, but this latest violence came in the mostly Shiite south, where resentment toward Saddam Hussein's government had been strong.
The Shiite gunmen were enraged by the death of their neighbors — allegedly at the hands of British troops during a demonstration earlier in the day — and over weapons searches in homes with women.
On Tuesday, about 100 residents protested the British weapons sweeps in a four-hour demonstration outside the mayor's office, where a dozen British troops were posted, witnesses said. Protesters threw rocks, and British troops fired back with rubber bullets before switching to live ammunition, the witnesses said.
Local police said four Iraqis were killed, and that armed residents then killed two British military policemen. Then, witnesses said, some Iraqis went to their homes to get weapons. At least 20 armed Iraqis stormed the police station, where four British military police were located along with Iraqi policemen.
One British soldier was shot and killed at the station's doorway; the three others were slain after Iraqis stormed the station and cornered them in a single room, said Salam Mohammed, a member of a municipal security force.
British military spokesman in Iraq, Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie McCourt, said the attack was unprovoked, adding: "It was murder."
"The enemies of peace have claimed that the United Kingdom forces are conducting violent searches of Arab homes and have not respected property. This is simply not true," McCourt said.
In the al-Zahrai Hospital in nearby Amarah, Dr. Mohammed al-Sudani said 10 Iraqi civilians were treated for gunshot wounds, including four children and a woman who was shot in the head.
On Wednesday, there were no British forces to be seen in or around Majar al-Kabir. But U.K. military officials said they were hunting down the gunmen.
"The whole situation is being investigated. We are actively seeking them," said Capt. Gemma Hardy, a British military spokeswoman.
British forces occupying southern Iraq agreed June 23 to stay out of Majar al-Kabir for 60 days and allow local security forces to seize heavy weapons, said Fadhel Radi, a municipal judge and an adviser to the mayor.
Radi said the British violated the agreement by coming into the city, sparking the initial demonstration. He produced a handwritten agreement in English and Arabic, supposedly signed by a British officer.
However, Hardy said she had no information about any such agreement and said it was "highly unlikely" it was valid. British officials said the military police were helping to train local police.
Also Thursday, the Arab satellite station Al-Jazeera said it had received a statement and videotape in which a previously unheard of Iraqi group, the Mujahedeen of the Victorious Sect, claimed responsibility for attacks on American forces and threatened more.
It was believed to be the first such claim, and the first time a group said it had organized the increasingly bloody offensive. The video showed part of a Baghdad neighborhood and what the announcer said was an attack by the group against American military vehicles.
The announcer said a wing of the group called the Martyr Khattab Brigade claimed responsibility, but it did not say when the operation took place or whether there were any casualties.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. military vehicle was ambushed Thursday on the western outskirts of Baghdad, and at least one American soldier was killed, soldiers at the scene said.
The morning attack on the road leading to Baghdad International Airport apparently involved an explosive device placed on the road, said the U.S. soldiers, who spoke on condition of anonymity. It appeared the device could have been detonated either by remote control or a trip wire.
The soldier who died suffered a major wound in the face, the soldiers said. Military commanders released no other details.
It was the latest in a spiraling series of attacks against U.S.-led occupation forces in Iraq. At least 19 U.S. soldiers have died in hostile fire since major combat was officially declared over in May.
On Tuesday, six British soldiers were killed in southern Iraq during a shooting rampage by townspeople furious over the killing of four neighbors during a demonstration, apparently at the hands of British troops.
That attack, in the town of Majar al-Kabir, 180 miles southeast of Baghdad, had shattered the peace that had reigned in Shiite-dominated southern Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein — and spurred British authorities to consider requiring troops to wear body armor and helmets.
Recent attacks on U.S. forces near Baghdad have been blamed on remnants of Saddam's regime or his Sunni followers, but this latest violence came in the mostly Shiite south, where resentment toward Saddam Hussein's government had been strong.
The Shiite gunmen were enraged by the death of their neighbors — allegedly at the hands of British troops during a demonstration earlier in the day — and over weapons searches in homes with women.
On Tuesday, about 100 residents protested the British weapons sweeps in a four-hour demonstration outside the mayor's office, where a dozen British troops were posted, witnesses said. Protesters threw rocks, and British troops fired back with rubber bullets before switching to live ammunition, the witnesses said.
Local police said four Iraqis were killed, and that armed residents then killed two British military policemen. Then, witnesses said, some Iraqis went to their homes to get weapons. At least 20 armed Iraqis stormed the police station, where four British military police were located along with Iraqi policemen.
One British soldier was shot and killed at the station's doorway; the three others were slain after Iraqis stormed the station and cornered them in a single room, said Salam Mohammed, a member of a municipal security force.
British military spokesman in Iraq, Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie McCourt, said the attack was unprovoked, adding: "It was murder."
"The enemies of peace have claimed that the United Kingdom forces are conducting violent searches of Arab homes and have not respected property. This is simply not true," McCourt said.
In the al-Zahrai Hospital in nearby Amarah, Dr. Mohammed al-Sudani said 10 Iraqi civilians were treated for gunshot wounds, including four children and a woman who was shot in the head.
On Wednesday, there were no British forces to be seen in or around Majar al-Kabir. But U.K. military officials said they were hunting down the gunmen.
"The whole situation is being investigated. We are actively seeking them," said Capt. Gemma Hardy, a British military spokeswoman.
British forces occupying southern Iraq agreed June 23 to stay out of Majar al-Kabir for 60 days and allow local security forces to seize heavy weapons, said Fadhel Radi, a municipal judge and an adviser to the mayor.
Radi said the British violated the agreement by coming into the city, sparking the initial demonstration. He produced a handwritten agreement in English and Arabic, supposedly signed by a British officer.
However, Hardy said she had no information about any such agreement and said it was "highly unlikely" it was valid. British officials said the military police were helping to train local police.
Also Thursday, the Arab satellite station Al-Jazeera said it had received a statement and videotape in which a previously unheard of Iraqi group, the Mujahedeen of the Victorious Sect, claimed responsibility for attacks on American forces and threatened more.
It was believed to be the first such claim, and the first time a group said it had organized the increasingly bloody offensive. The video showed part of a Baghdad neighborhood and what the announcer said was an attack by the group against American military vehicles.
The announcer said a wing of the group called the Martyr Khattab Brigade claimed responsibility, but it did not say when the operation took place or whether there were any casualties.
