[Carol Costello, Cnn Anchor:] Time to take a look at what's happening in Iraq. The past 24 hours have been deadly for U.S. troops there. Three more American soldiers have been killed in three separate attacks. Live to Baghdad now and Michael Holmes good morning, Michael.
[Michael Holmes, Cnn Correspondent:] Good morning to you, Carol. Several injured, as well. Let's start off with an attack that happened Wednesday night here in Iraq. It happened in a place called Samarrah. That's about 75 miles north of Baghdad, in what's known as the Sunni Triangle, certainly a hotbed of activity against the coalition forces in Iraq. What happened was that a U.S. soldier was killed. His convoy was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. He was evacuated to a nearby military hospital, but did die despite that treatment. Now, earlier, a U.S. soldier was killed, three others were hurt when their convoy was rocked by a roadside explosion. That happened near Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown. Two of those who were injured were severely so and still in critical condition, with shrapnel wounds. The third injured person had only minor wounds and was treated and allowed to return to duty. Those soldiers from the 4th I.D., as was the soldier in Samarrah, as well. Now, the third one happened in Baghdad, an area called al-Mansour area. This was a soldier from the 1st Armored Division killed when he was shot with a small caliber handgun. Another soldier there also shot and wounded. So, as you said, Carol, a very deadly 24 hours or so around Iraq for U.S. troops.
[Costello:] Yes, you know, one of those attacks you talked about took place in the al-Mansour District. We don't usually hear about violence against soldiers there, or at least not much. What's happening there?
[Holmes:] Yes, that's true. And perhaps it's an indication of how broad the violence has become in terms of not just geography, but targets, as well. Al-Mansour is an area of Baghdad, there's a lot of embassies there. Also notable because Saddam Hussein had a couple of safe houses there before and immediately after the war. So, yes, an unusual place for something like this to happen and perhaps something significant was the use of a handgun at fairly close quarters instead of the usual RPG or explosive device, which may have attracted more attention from security patrols in the area. This very much a quick hit and run sort of exercise Carol.
[Costello:] Thanks. Michael Holmes reporting live from Baghdad this morning. When you go online this morning, you can get the latest out of Iraq from our Web site. It's easy. The address easy to remember, cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN.