A suicide attacker in an explosives-rigged car bombed U.S. and Iraqi forces on joint patrol today, killing two Americans and at least three Iraqis, AP reported. The bomber struck the convoy of Humvees and Stryker vehicles in the town of Jalula, about 80 miles (125 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad, not far from the Iranian border, according to Iraqi officials. The U.S. military, which confirmed the casualties, said another six American troops were wounded in the attack. Although U.S. forces have largely pulled back from urban areas as Iraqis take responsibility for securing their country, Friday's attack illustrates the risks that remain for American troops here. Names of the casualties were not released, pending notification of family members. The U.S. said three Iraqis, including one police officer, were also killed, and about 22 were wounded in the blast. It was the deadliest reported attack on U.S. troops since April 7, when two soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Mosul. Iraqi police, hospital and local officials put the death toll higher than the U.S. They said the blast killed six Iraqis, including one policeman, and wounded 22 others. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information.
