The U.S. military said a rocket attack on the U.S.-protected Green Zone has killed two American troops and injured 17 people. A military official conveyed Sunday's casualties occurred when at least two rockets struck the sprawling area in central Baghdad.
In earlier clashes, Iraqi troops backed by US forces battled Shiite fighters in the Sadr City neighbourhood. At least 22 people were killed and 50 wounded.
Officials at two local hospitals conveyed the injured include two women and four children. Police said that a U.S. armored personnel carrier was destroyed in the clashes.
Meanwhile, an Assyrian Orthodox priest has been killed in a drive-by shooting in Baghdad in the latest attack against Iraq's Christian minority. The 40-year-old priest, Youssef Adel, was shot by gunmen who drove up in a car.
According to the AP, an assistant said the gunmen opened fire as Adel was opening the gate of his house in a Christian enclave near the church where he presided. Pope Benedict expressed deep pain over Adel's killing. Vatican Radio quoted a telegram as saying the pontiff is praying that "the Iraqi people find the way of peace to build a just and tolerant society."
