Wednesday: 4 US Soldiers, 27 Iraqis Killed; 40 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 11:55 p.m. EDT, June 25, 2008

Three American soldiers were killed during a roadside bombing in Ninevah province, while a fourth U.S. servicemember was killed in during an EFP attack in Baghdad. Meanwhile, at least 27 Iraqis were also killed and 40 more were wounded in the latest incidents as well.

A roadside bomb blast in Ninevah province killed three U.S. soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter last night. Not much information was released on the incident, but U.S. and Iraqi troops are in the process of weeding out al-Qaeda elements in the region. An already reported car bombing there yesterday left almost 100 casualties. Another American soldier was killed in the capital during an EFP explosion this morning. Altogether, eight U.S. servicemembers and two American employees have been killed over the last three days.

In Baghdad, five dumped bodies were found. Three people were killed and 10 others were wounded during a bombing in Karrada. U.S. troops killed three gunmen who fired on their patrol near the airport; Iraqi authorities said the three were actually bank employees. Also, 9000 Awakening Council (Sahwa) members will be integrated into the police force, and over 5000 displaced families returned home.

Two people were killed and 15 more were wounded when a bomb was detonated near a shrine in Karbala.

A U.S. air strike near Tikrit left five family members dead, including three young children. As many as four neighbors were wounded. The owner of the home apparently mistook U.S. troops prowling near his home for thieves.

An Iraqi soldier was killed and three more were wounded when they entered a booby-trapped home in Mullaeid.

In Mosul, gunmen killed the head of the city council and his driver.

A roadside bomb targeting Kirkuk's health director wounded his driver instead. A separate bombing killed a civilian.

U.S. troops killed three suspects near Samarra.

In Khan Bani Saad, clashes between and gunmen and an Awakening Council left one Sahwa member dead.

House-to-house searches in Nasariya ignited clashing between Iraqi forces and suspected Shi'ite militiamen. Seven people were wounded and they are among the 16 suspects who were detained after fighting ended.

Overall, the security operation in Maysan province netted a total of 174 suspects.

In Diyala, 61 innocent detainees were released. Also, 62 displaced families returned home.

Also, three Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels were reported killed and a Turkish soldier wounded during fighting in eastern Turkey.

Compiled by Margaret Griffis