US soldier killed by roadside bomb

A roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad today killing a US soldier and sparking a gunbattle, while Iraqi children were close by, the military said.

After the bomb exploded in eastern Baghdad, US troops evacuated the dead soldier, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt told reporters. When the troops returned to retrieve the stricken vehicle, they found several children on it, taking material, he said.

As the troops approached the vehicle, gunmen on neighbouring rooftops opened fire, sparking a battle with the soldiers, he said.

Witnesses reported Iraqi casualties in the fight, but it was not known if any of the children were among them.

With the soldier’s death, 110 US troops have been killed since the beginning of April, the deadliest period yet for the Americans in Iraq. At least 719 service members have died in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion.