Bomb Kills U.S. Soldier in Fallujah
Friday, July 18, 2003
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FALLUJAH, Iraq — A U.S. soldier was killed Friday when a bomb blew up under his Humvee (search), a U.S. military spokesman said.
The vehicle was part of a 3rd infantry division (search) convoy passing through this central Iraqi city 32 miles west of Baghdad.
The explosion occurred on the main Fallujah bridge over the Euphrates River (search), military spokeswoman Sgt. Amy Abbott said.
The soldier's death brought the American toll in Iraq to 148, surpassing the total number of fatalities in the 1991 Gulf War.
Earlier a witness in Fallujah reported seeing four U.S. soldiers evacuated from the scene of the attack and said three American Humvees were badly damaged. The military did not confirm the report.
The attack took place about 3:30 p.m. after more than 24 hours during which the military had not reported any violence against American forces. Fallujah police have been patrolling the city without U.S. escorts for about a week. Police complained they felt endangered in the presence of Americans who had come under frequent attack in the "Sunni Triangle" town.
Resistance to the American occupation has been especially strong in the so-called triangle that stretches north and west from Baghdad. It is a stronghold of support for ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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