US soldier shot dead in northern Iraq

An American soldier was killed and two others were wounded by small arms fire at their base in northern Iraq, the US military said today.

The 4th Infantry Division facility came under attack late last night, Central Command said.

It brought the US death toll to 50 since May 1 when US President George Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq.

A total of 165 Americans have been killed in combat in Iraq – 18 more than died in the 1991 Gulf War.

The shooting took place 25 miles east of Baqouba, in an area where US troops have repeatedly come under attack, often by mortars.

It is in the so-called Sunni Triangle, the region north and west of Baghdad where former dictator Saddam Hussein drew much of his support.

Last night’s death broke a period of relative peace. No US soldier had been reported killed in combat in Iraq in more than 48 hours.