Five more US soldiers die in Iraq

On Friday, a roadside bomb killed one soldier near Baqouba, north of Baghdad. Another died trying to defuse a bomb outside the town, a spokesman said.

Another soldier was killed on Friday by a roadside bomb in Balad, also north of Baghdad.

Late on Thursday, two soldiers were killed and four injured in a mortar attack on a military base in Baqouba.


The losses make that 24-hour period the most costly in terms of US lives this month, says the BBC's Chris Hogg in Baghdad.

Over that period, Baghdad alone saw 26 attacks against various targets - whereas on average US forces come under attack about 17 times a day throughout Iraq.

Rockets, mortars and rocket- propelled grenades were fired at targets including the coalition's headquarters, foreign embassies, government buildings and a hotel.

A US military spokesman said five people suspected of carrying out the rocket attacks had been arrested.

He said they were among more than 70 people detained in Baghdad during the latest operations to search for suspected insurgents.

Reconstruction

American forces have also confiscated two surface-to-air missiles in a search west of Baghdad. Military sources said they were capable of being used against coalition planes.

The US military has continued to bombard locations around Baghdad, in an effort to drive out armed opponents of the American-led occupation.

Meanwhile, an advance contingent of Japanese military personnel has set off on a humanitarian mission to Iraq, paving the way for the future deployment of about 1,000 troops to aid reconstruction efforts.

They are part of a 40-strong advance team who are travelling to Kuwait and Qatar to prepare for the arrival of a larger unit in January.

Most of the Japanese troops will be based in south-eastern Iraq, where they will help restore water services, offer medical aid and rebuild schools.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3348765.stm