Contractor Killed, Two U.S. Troops Wounded in Iraq

Reuters ^ | 08-20-03

[Brian S]

Aug. 20 — TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - Guerrillas ambushed U.S. troops in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit in central Iraq on Wednesday, killing a contractor and wounding two soldiers, a U.S. military officer said.

Major Bryan Luke did not give the nationality of the contractor. He said assault rifles were fired at a three-vehicle convoy near a market in the center of Tikrit, 110 miles north of Baghdad.

Luke had initially said rocket-propelled grenades had also been fired, but later said this was not correct.

He said three gunmen had fired AK-47s at the U.S. convoy and one of the attackers was wounded. Luke added there may have also been Iraqi civilian casualties in the incident.

Guerrillas have killed 61 U.S. soldiers since Washington declared major hostilities over in Iraq on May 1. U.S. officials blame the attacks on supporters of deposed leader Saddam Hussein and some foreign fighters.

[Coop]

In addition to our fine troops, God bless this contractor and all their families.

[gaspar]

The next time someone is killed cut of the city water supply for 12 hours; another killed, cut it off for a day, then two days, etc. Provide water to hospitals, and that is all. Pretty soon the people will get the picture and give up the killers before they strike.