7 US Soldiers Die as Rebels Strike at Will

Rebels launched fresh attacks in Baghdad and northern Iraq on Saturday, bringing to seven the number of soldiers killed in the last three days; killing at least 11 Iraqis and wounding more than 40 in a second day of violence aimed at shaking the country’s newly formed government.

At least five more car bombings occurred in the Baghdad area Saturday, following the 17 blasts on Friday which killed 50 and wounded 114. They included a suicide attack that targeted a joint U.S. military and Iraqi police patrol in western Baghdad.

The six American soldiers were killed, and two others wounded, by roadside bombs. Their deaths bring the total for US soldiers killed this month to 48. Four of the dead were killed by a roadside bomb near Tal Afar, and two other soldiers died in Baghdad.

The deaths took place on Thursday and Friday, but are not being reported on until Saturday in a bid to loose the bad news over the weekend.