US troops killed in ambush

Two American soldiers have been killed and one wounded in an ambush outside the Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

The attack by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire occurred at 10.45pm local time last night, said Major Josslyn Aberle, spokeswoman for the 4th Infantry Division.

Aberle said a mounted patrol of Task Force Ironhorse - a force that includes her infantry division - was the target of the ambush and returned fire. But no additional enemy contact followed, she said.

West of Baghdad, another attack left an American armoured vehicle ablaze on a road outside the flashpoint town of Fallujah, witnesses reported.

The US command said it had no immediate word on casualties.