Arab News

BAGHDAD, 28 June 2003 — Ambushers killed a US soldier in southern Iraq and US troops arrested three Iraqis yesterday in connection with the disappearance of two US servicemen north of Baghdad.

Four US military personnel have been killed in Iraq since Thursday, at least two of them in ambushes against US-led occupation forces.

A US Navy sailor died in a non-combat incident Thursday and an Army Military Police officer was killed yesterday in circumstances that officials are not divulging, said Army Sgt. Amy Abbott, a military spokeswoman.

The soldier, who was attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, died before medics arrived on the scene, Centcom said. The sailor who died was also attached to the 1st MEF, Abbot said. The names of the dead service members were withheld pending notification of relatives.

Also yesterday, three suspects detained in connection with the disappearance of two American soldiers were being interrogated, said Sgt. Patrick Compton, a US military spokesman in Baghdad.

In another incident just northwest of Baghdad yesterday morning, a US Army truck struck an explosive device on a dirt road. A US soldier and an eyewitness said wounded Americans were evacuated by helicopter.