US soldiers injured in Baghdad ambush

Iraqi guerrillas broke a period of relative calm today, attacking an American patrol in Baghdad with explosives as soldiers were about to drive into a tunnel.

Two soldiers were wounded, the military said.

The attack damaged two Humvees, one of which turned over and caught fire, according to a military spokesman.

Before dawn, more than 100 US troops stormed houses in Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit, searching for Saddam loyalists accused of financing or co-ordinating attacks on American soldiers.

Four wanted men were arrested, the military said.

“All those targeted were involved in attacks on coalition forces and government officials,” said Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell.