Security Summary: October 5, 2007

Above: A man cries out as four victims of U.S air strikes near Khalis lie on a pick-up truck today.

BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded two during operations in the southeastern region of the capital, the U.S. military said.

BAIJI - A roadside bomb killed one U.S. soldier and wounded three when it was detonated near their vehicle in Baiji, north of the capital, the U.S. military said.

BAGHDAD - U.S. forces killed 12 gunmen and detained four others in operations targeting Sunni Islamist al Qaeda militants in central and northern Iraq, U.S. military said.

NEAR BAQUBA - An estimated 25 suspected militants were killed in air strike after U.S. forces became engaged in heavy fighting during an operation near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said. The operation targeted a "special groups" commander accused of moving weapons into Iraq from Iran, it said in a statement.

TUZ KHURMATO - Five people were wounded by a roadside bomb targeting a U.S. patrol in Tuz Khurmato, 180 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

BAGHDAD - One U.S. soldier was killed by small arms fire during combat operations in a southern area of Baghdad on Thursday, the U.S. military said.

SAMARRA - Iraqi security forces killed 18 gunmen and arrested 38 others, including four Saudi Arabians, in an operation on Thursday and Friday in Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, a government security source said. Four policemen were killed and seven others were wounded.

LATIFIYA - A roadside bomb wounded three people in Latifiya, 40 km (25 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.

KIFL - A body with gunshot wounds was found in a canal in the town of Kifl, 150 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, police said.

From Reuters/Alternet