Occupying army takes casualties

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

U.S. Soldier Killed, Five Wounded in Iraq

The Associated Press
Thursday, June 5, 2003; 4:16 AM

FALLUJAH, Iraq - An American soldier was killed and five were wounded
early Thursday when they were hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, the
U.S. military said.

The attack came a day after more than 1,500 soldiers from the U.S.
Army's 3rd Infantry Division moved into Fallujah and surrounding areas
to quell increasing attacks on American occupying forces in that region.

The Army soldiers who came under attack were assigned to the 3rd Armored
Cavalry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, the military said in a
statement. That regiment has been based in the area for weeks.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated to a nearby military field hospital.
No names were immediately released.

The attacker was an "unknown assailant," the military said.

Fallujah has been a flashpoint of resistance to American occupation, and
U.S. forces have come under increasing attack in the area, about 30
miles west of Baghdad. Senior military commanders acknowledge the
resistance but say they believe it is not coordinated.

Anger in Fallujah grew in late April after confrontations between
residents and American forces left 18 Iraqis dead and at least 78
wounded. Residents have accused U.S. troops of using excessive force and
of not respecting Islamic practices.

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