7 U.S. Soldiers Reportedly killed In Iraq Attacks

In Khaldiyah, 80km west of Baghdad, Gassem Mohammad, 23, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that a convoy consisting of four Humvees and a tank was targeted, noting that six dead U.S. soldiers were evacuated by helicopters, which patrolled the areas.

The U.S. military confirmed Monday, September 29, that one American soldier was killed and one wounded in a bomb attack on a convoy near the town of Fallujah, west of Baghdad.

A military spokeswoman, who would not give her name, said the convoy was attacked about 9:15 am (0515 GMT) by an "improvised explosive device" in the town of Habbaniyah, near where the Americans have a large base.

The latest death brought to 91 the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq since May 1, when Washington declared major combat over. AFP put at 85 the number of the dead.

Also on Monday, a U.S. army spokesman confirmed that six U.S. soldiers were wounded in Sunday’s bomb attack on a convoy in the hotspot town of Fallujah.

Colonel Kevin Gainer said a convoy from the 82nd Airborne Division was hit by an "improvised explosive device" on Highway 10 at 1:30 pm (0930 GMT) Sunday while traveling in the city.

Selwan Adel Mohammad, 28, told AFP a convoy consisting of five Humvees was targeted while traveling through the centre of the city. One Humvee was hit by the explosion.

Iraqi Official Attacked

In another development, an Iraqi official working on how to draft a new constitution for this occupied country escaped an assassination attempt, the second attack on a political figure in nine days, Iraqi and U.S. sources said.

They said Jalal al-Din al-Sagheer, a prominent Shiite, escaped unhurt when his car was fired upon at about 3:00 pm (1100 GMT) Sunday as he was driving home, located in a Baghdad suburb.

"I understand his bodyguard did lose his life," Charles Heatley, a spokesman for the so called the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that runs Iraq, told a news conference.

Muhannad Abdul Jabbar, a press officer with Iraq’s U.S.-installed Governing Council earlier reported the attack on Sagheer.

"The incident happened yesterday," said Jabbar. "He has not been injured, he is okay."

Akila al-Hashimi, the first member of Iraq’s interim council to be assassinated, last Thursday succumbed to gunshot wounds suffered in an ambush in Baghdad on September 20.