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US troops missing in Iraq attack Coalition troops missing in Iraq
(40 minutes later)
Five US soldiers have been killed and three are missing following an attack by insurgents south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the US military says. Five coalition soldiers have been killed and three are missing after an attack by insurgents south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the US military says.
The patrol was attacked in the early hours near Mahmudiya, about 30km (20 miles) south of Baghdad, Maj Gen William Caldwell said. The patrol of seven Americans and their Iraqi interpreter were attacked near the town of Mahmudiya, spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell said.
He said that within an hour other troops were at the scene of the attack, hunting for the missing soldiers.He said that within an hour other troops were at the scene of the attack, hunting for the missing soldiers.
The armed patrol comprised of an Iraqi interpreter and seven Americans. Checkpoints have been set up to prevent the soldiers being moved from the area.
Gen Caldwell said team was attacked seven miles west of Mahmudiya, scene of frequent attacks by insurgents against US troops. Gen Caldwell said team was attacked seven miles (11 kilometres) west of Mahmudiya, scene of frequent attacks by insurgents against US troops.
"Coalition Forces are currently using every means at our disposal to find the missing soldiers, and we will continue these efforts until all are accounted for. " Major operation
He said helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and fixed-wing aircraft were involved in the search. Information of the attack first emerged when an unmanned aerial vehicle spotted two burning vehicles just before 0500 (0100 GMT) .
"Make no mistake: we will never stop looking for our soldiers until their status is definitively determined, and we continue to pray for their safe return," he said. A huge operation has been launched involving helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and fixed-wing aircraft, to try to find the missing men.
The US military is also talking to local leaders to try to enlist their help in the search, while checkpoints have been set up on roads leading away from the area and west into Anbar to prevent the soldiers being taken to an insurgent base.
"Make no mistake: we will never stop looking for our soldiers until their status is definitively determined, and we continue to pray for their safe return," said Gen Caldwell.
In the past year, seven soldiers have been abducted by insurgents in two similar incidents.