Coalition troops missing in Iraq

BBC

Five coalition soldiers have been killed and three are missing after an attack by insurgents south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the US military says.

The patrol of seven Americans and their Iraqi interpreter were attacked near the town of Mahmudiya, spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell said.

He said that within an hour other troops were at the scene of the attack, hunting for the missing soldiers.

Checkpoints have been set up to prevent the soldiers being moved from the area.

Gen Caldwell said team was attacked seven miles (11 kilometres) west of Mahmudiya, scene of frequent attacks by insurgents against US troops. ......