Military

DATE=08/13/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/SOLDIERS (LONG)

NUMBER=2-306443

BYLINE=KIRK TROY

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT=

INTRO: Three U-S soldiers have been killed in Iraq, as guerilla attacks continue against coalition forces. Kirk Troy reports from Baghdad.

TEXT: The U-S military says one American soldier was killed and another was wounded when their convoy hit a roadside bomb Wednesday morning, 25 kilometers south of Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.

The military also reports that another U-S soldier was killed and two were wounded on Tuesday in a bomb attack in Al Taji, north of Baghdad. The incident occurred in the same town where a pipeline burst and exploded in flames on Tuesday. The fire sent flames 60 meters into the sky and black smoke drifted over the Iraqi capital. Officials said the cause of the explosion is under investigation.

U-S military officials have said that recently there have been an average of 12 attacks a day throughout Iraq and blame the violence on people loyal to the regime of Saddam Hussein. Makeshift roadside bombs have been used in many of the recent attacks and usually target passing U-S soldiers on patrol.

On Tuesday, U-S troops captured a Republican Guard General and a former bodyguard of Saddam Hussein. They were captured near Tikrit where soldiers are continuing their search for Saddam Hussein and members of his regime in a new operation launched this week. A U-S Army spokesman said they were helping to organize the ongoing guerilla attacks.

The most recent attacks bring to 67 the number of U-S soldiers killed in hostile fire incidents since President Bush declared major combat to be over in May. A further 475 have been injured. (Signed)

NEB/KT/AWP/FC/MEM