Iraqi resistance mars July 4 for US troops

Nineteen US soldiers have been injured in Iraq when mortar rounds slammed into their base, and another was killed when his convoy was ambushed in Baghdad.

News of the two attacks brought a sombre start to American Independence Day celebrations for the 150,000 US troops stationed in Iraq.

The base that came under fire is in the Sunni triangle, an area north and west of the capital where Saddam Hussein enjoyed his greatest support.

The US yesterday announced a reward of up to £15m (€13m) for information leading to the capture of the former dictator.

The base at Balan, 55 miles north of Baghdad, was rocked by several explosions, said US Cpl Todd Pruden, and the condition of the wounded soldiers was not immediately clear.

“All we know is they were evacuated to medical facilities,” Pruden said.

The convoy attack that killed an American soldier happened last night in eastern Baghdad. The soldier was in a Bradley fighting vehicle when he was shot. He was evacuated to a military hospital, but died of his wounds.

US soldiers have been targeted by daily attacks from increasingly bold insurgents, raising fear of a political and military quagmire just two months after President George Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1.

At least 27 US troops have been killed by hostile fire since then.

But despite the problems, US troops planned to spend July 4 enjoying barbecues at bases around Iraq.

A lucky few were invited to join Arnold Schwarzenegger for a screening of the muscle-bound actor’s latest movie, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

In the north, American forces planned joint celebrations with Kurdish officials. The Kurds also celebrate July 4 as the anniversary of the election of their first government in 1992.

US officials have stressed the need to crush the insurgency, and say continued doubts about the fate of Saddam and his two sons is helping fuel the resistance.

In addition to the price put on Saddam’s head yesterday, the US is also offering almost £10m (€14m) for information leading to the capture of either of his two sons, Uday and Qusay.

“We believe it is important to do everything we can to determine his whereabouts, whether he is alive or dead, in order to assist in stabilising the situation and letting the people of Baghdad be absolutely sure that he’s not coming back,” US Secretary of State Colin Powell said.