Two US troops have been killed in Iraq. On Thursday morning, an attack on American convoy in Baghdad, killed a U.S. soldier, the military said. The U.S. command also said that a Marine was killed Wednesday in a bombing in Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad.
A statement by an Iraqi group said Thursday in an Internet posting that it executed a kidnapped U.S. security consultant. The statement said pictures of the slaying would be released soon.
The statement by the Islamic Army in Iraq said it had killed "the American security consultant for the Housing Ministry," after the United States declined to respond to its demand of the release of Iraqi prisoners. The group blamed President Bush for failing to respond to its demands.
"The war criminal Bush continues his arrogance, giving no value to people's lives unless they serve his criminal, aggressive ways. Since his reply (to the demands) was irresponsible, he bears the consequences of his stance," the statement said.
"Therefore the American security consultant for the Housing Ministry was killed after the end of the deadline set to respond to the Islamic Army's demands," it said.
Meanwhile, Australian troops in Iraq likely will extend their mission for as long as the Japanese remain there, Prime Minister John Howard said Friday, according to the AP. Japan said Thursday it would keep about 600 soldiers in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah on their non-combat mission that is limited to purifying water and other aid tasks.
Australia has 450 troops in the region protecting the Japanese and training Iraqi troops. "It is unlikely we will be out by May. It is far more likely ... and this will depend a great deal on how things unfold, that we will be there for a longer period," Howard told the Southern Cross Radio network.
