16 American soldiers killed in downed helicopter in Baghdad
In what was described the "bloodiest days" for the American forces in Iraq, one US helicopter was downed in Baghdad's suburbs and the incident resulted in killing 16 soldiers and wounding other 20.
Other three Americans were killed in other operations that targeted them in Baghdad and al-Falouja, making the results of death from Iraqi resistance operations yesterday 19 killed persons.
The Chinook helicopter which was presumed to carry scores of soldiers was downed after it was hit by a missile while on its way to Baghdad's airport.
A statement for the US military leadership confirmed the number of killed and wounded American soldiers when the helicopter crashed near al-Falouja city to the west of Baghdad.
An American military spokesman said that the helicopter was one of two helicopters heading for Baghdad airport, carrying soldiers coming back from a vacation. The spokesman added that the downed plane was carrying between 32 to 35 soldiers.
Citizens in al-Falouja said that two land to air missiles were fired at the helicopter and one of them hit the target.
Also in al-Falouja citizens said that a bomb on the way went off in a convoy of cars carrying American soldiers.
Fire erupted at least in one American vehicle at the site of the attack and was surrounded by a group of Iraqis who expressed joy over the incident.
In another development, a spokesman for the American occupation forces said that one of its soldiers was killed in a bomb explosion implanted on the road in Baghdad.
He added that the soldier -- from the first armored division -- was admitted to hospital after the explosion which took place as his car ran over the bomb early morning yesterday but died hours later.
Meantime, and at Abu Gharb, to the west of Baghdad, the American soldiers clashed with the citizens of the town yesterday for the second time within three days. Witnesses said that several were wounded among the Americans and the Iraqis.
The downing of a helicopter came after the US administrator of Iraq, Paul Bremer, described last week as a "difficult week."