The soldiers, from a unit north of Baghdad, told family members that they considered the convoy destined for Taji to be a "suicide mission", citing the poor condition of their vehicles and the absence of ground and air support to protect the convoy.

The refusal, confirmed by military sources in Baghdad, is the first time that concerns about equipment and safety have led to a major breakdown of discipline. Allegations about the state of US army equipment have been aired throughout the conflict and have become a feature of the US presidential campaign, with senator John Kerry airing the subject in presidential debates. But it is the first time that doubts about morale among US troops stationed in Iraq have surfaced so publicly.

Refusal to obey orders in a combat zone is a serious military offence. Yet, the occupation has become a perilous situation, with more than 1,000 US troops killed since the invasion.

Security fears have been heightened by near-daily ambushes and roadside bombs; yesterday a car bomb in Baghdad killed 10 Iraqis. On Thursday two blasts inside the heavily fortified Green Zone left six dead.

All but two of the 19 reservists in the fuel platoon of the 343rd Quartermaster Company refused to operate a delivery on Wednesday morning. They were read their rights and moved from military barracks into tents, the wife of one of the soldiers told the Clarion Ledger newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1328923,00.html