Twin roadside blasts claim US and Iraqi casualties
A roadside bomb exploded next to a passing US military convoy in central Iraq today, and a second bomb went off when reinforcements arrived, damaging vehicles and inflicting several casualties, witnesses said.
The military confirmed a “large explosion” and said there were “US and civilian casualties.” The attack occurred in Khaldiyah, 50 miles west of Baghdad.
Nameer Mohammed, who said he was standing about 500 yards away when the explosion occurred, described seeing a US military vehicle on fire after the first blast.
As more American forces came to the scene, another bomb went off, setting fire to another vehicle, he said.
In the confusion, the Americans fired randomly, he said, and claimed that many Iraqis were killed. This could not be immediately confirmed.
Mohammed said he carried several injured people to the hospital.
A US military spokeswoman in Baghdad would only confirm a “large explosion” in the area.
She gave no other details except to say it caused casualties among US soldiers and Iraqi civilians.
