An American soldier was killed and another one wounded in a blast, the American military stated on Monday. According to Reuters, the soldier died of injuries from the improvised explosive device late on Sunday south of Baghdad, it said.
Meanwhile, as Iraqi security forces backed by U.S. troops surrounded the town of Madain following reports of massive kidnappings of scores of Shiite residents, there were growing indications the incident had been exaggerated.
An AP cameraman said he toured the town Sunday morning. People were going about their business normally, shops were open and tea houses were full, he said. Residents contacted by telephone also said everything was normal in Madain.
