US soldier killed in Iraq firefight

One US soldier has been killed and five others wounded by small arms fire southeast of Baghdad.

Iraqi security officials said a local official in the town of Madaen, had opened fire on American troops who had gone to visit him.

Lieutenant David Russell said: "Initial reports are now indicating one coalition forces soldier killed in action, five coalition forces soldiers wounded in action and one enemy killed in action."

Television pictures showed a number of spent bullet casings on the ground in a local government compound where the attack is thought to have taken place.

The latest attack comes a day after 15 people were killed and 35 wounded after a female suicide bomber blew herself up outside a court building near Baghdad.

Iraqi police said the attack took place in Baquba, capital of Diyala province, where Sunni Islamist al-Qaeda militants have sought to stoke tensions.

Violence across Iraq has dropped to a four-year low, but militants have still managed to carry out attacks.

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