Politics.co.uk

3 US soldiers die in grenade attack

3 US soldiers die in grenade attack

Three US soldiers were killed on Saturday in a grenade attack in Baqubah, northeast of Baghdad, taking the US death toll to 47 since President Bush declared the war over on May 1.

They were guarding a children’s hospital, when the assault in broad daylight took place (07:00 GMT).

It is thought loyalists from the Sunni Muslim community were responsible.

A military spokesman said four other soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division were wounded in the attack.

Eight US soldiers have now died since Saddam’s two sons Uday and Qusay were killed on Tuesday, sparking fears of further “guerilla” assaults on occupying forces.

Separately, the US says it is closing in on Saddam Hussein himself.

According to US military, 13 of Saddam’s men near the dictator’s hometown of Tikrit have been captured, 10 of which are said to be his closest bodyguards.

Saddam has a 16.5million pound bounty on his head.