US soldier killed in Iraq

An American soldier was killed and five others were wounded in central Iraq today when they were hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, the US military said.

The attack came a day after more than 1,500 US soldiers moved into the area around Fallujah to quell increasing attacks on American forces there.

The attacker was an “unknown assailant, the military said. The wounded were evacuated to a nearby field hospital.

Fallujah has been a flashpoint of resistance to American occupation, and US forces have come under attack several times in the area, about 30 miles west of Baghdad.

Senior American military commanders have said they believe the resistance is not co-ordinated.

Anger in Fallujah grew in late April after confrontations between residents and US forces left 18 Iraqis dead and at least 78 wounded.

Residents have accused American troops of using excessive force and of not respecting Islamic practices.