Iraqi Soldier Kills 2 Americans, Wounds 9

Attack comes during company commander’s meeting with Iraqi forces

Video

Two U.S. troops killed in Iraq (NBC Nightly News, Sept. 7, 2010) — A man dressed as an Iraqi soldier fired on American troops on a training visit to an Iraqi military base Tuesday, killing at least two U.S. soldiers and injuring at least nine others. NBC’s Brian Williams reports. (00:22)

NBC via MSNBC.com
September 7, 2010

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi soldier sprayed gunfire at American troops guarding one of their commanders as he visited an Iraqi military base on Tuesday and killed two of them, the first U.S. servicemen to die since President Barack Obama declared an official end to combat operations in the country last week.

Nine other Americans were wounded. The soldiers were part of a security element for a U.S. commander who was meeting with members of Iraqi security forces at the compound in Salah ah-Din, which is near the city of Tuz, about 130 miles north of Baghdad.

The assailant opened fire after an argument and was killed in the shootout that followed, said the city’s police chief, Col. Hussein Rashid. He did not provide details on the nature of the argument. …

These were the first U.S. military deaths in Iraq since Obama declared an official end to the combat mission on Aug. 31 as part of his plan for withdrawing all American forces by the end of 2011. Three U.S. military personnel were killed in August. …

U.S. military officials have said Iranian-backed militias are stepping up their attacks against targets in Baghdad in an attempt to make it look like they are driving the Americans out. …

On Sunday, American troops found themselves in combat helping to defend an Iraqi military headquarters in Baghdad from heavily armed militants.

In a statement posted on a militant website, the Islamic State of Iraq took responsibility for the hour-long assault Sunday on the headquarters of the Iraqi Army’s 11th Division. …

Full story

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Related reports on this site

Afghan Soldier Kills U.S. Troop (Dec. 29, 2009)

Iraq Insurgent Infiltration (May 2, 2009)

Iraqi Soldier Kills U.S. Troops (Nov. 13, 2008)

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Other security incidents in Iraq

6 Killed in 2 Separate Bomb Attacks in Baghdad

By Sinan Salaheddin

September 8, 2010

BAGHDAD — Iraqi police and health officials say at least six people have been killed and 35 wounded in two separate attacks in Baghdad.

A police officer says three policemen and one civilian have been killed when a parked car bomb exploded Wednesday near a bus station in the southern Bayaa neighborhood. A second bomb targeting police and rescue services arriving at the blast site detonated minutes later. …

In eastern Baghdad, two bombs near a bus station detonated simultaneously Wednesday, killing two civilians and wounding 12 others. …

Full story

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — September 8, 2009

A soldier is treated at hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq, Sept. 8, 2009, after he was injured by a roadside bomb that killed the head of an anti-terrorism police unit and four of his bodyguards. (Photo credit: Marwan Ibrahim / AFP — Getty Images)

Iraq-Afghanistan Casualties

One year ago today, I provided my weekly report of U.S. military deaths in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, noting that four U.S. troops were killed that day in each of those countries.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — September 8, 2008

Muntazer Ahmed, 4, was wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. (Photo credit: The Associated Press)

On the Campaign Trail: Day 56

Two years ago today, on the 56th day of my 2008 campaign against U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District, I featured reporting from Minnesota Public Radio on the primary election, candidate information from the North Metro TV Voter Guide, my campaign schedule for the final day of the campaign, and updates from the Iraq war.