The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Baghdad

Two US soldiers died in Iraq on Wednesday in non-combat related incidents which are now under investigation, the American military said.

One soldier died in an incident in southern Baghdad, a statement said without elaborating. A second soldier died also in a non-combat incident, another statement said without giving further details.

The deaths take US military losses since the March 2003 invasion to 3,814, according to an AFP tally based on Pentagon figures.

His death took the overall toll of US military losses since the March 2003 invasion to 3,821, according to an AFP tally based on Pentagon figures.

Another report adds: An explosives-laden sewage truck blew up near a police station and a car bomb struck an Iraqi Army checkpoint yesterday in attacks that bore the hallmarks of Al Qaeda and showed extremists can still hit hard despite recent gains by US-led forces. The bombings and a series of shootings mainly targeted Iraqi security forces and tribal leaders facing internal rivalries, but bystanders also were struck. At least 25 people were killed or found dead nationwide.

The deadliest attack occurred when a car blew up near a gas station across the street from an Iraqi Army checkpoint, killing four civilians and two Iraqi soldiers and wounding 25 others.