US soldiers killed in bomb blast amid warnings attacks will increase

TWO American soldiers died in a bomb blast north of Baghdad yesterday amid warnings that attacks will increase with fewer than 100 days left before the coalition hands over sovereignty.

A day earlier, insurgents attacked an American patrol, sparking a gun battle that killed one US soldier and three rebels.

The infantryman died and two were wounded yesterday when a bomb exploded near Baqouba, the military said. The soldiers went to the area after Iraqi security notified them that a bomb had been found. The two injured soldiers were in stable condition.