Iraqi Soldier Kills 2 American Troops, Wounds 9

An Iraqi soldier fired a barrage of bullets at American troops protecting one of their commanders during a visit to an Iraqi army base today and killed two of them—the first US servicemen to die since President Obama declared an end to combat operations. Nine Americans were wounded.

The Americans were providing security for a commander attending a meeting with Iraqi military personnel at a base near the city of Tuz Khormato, about 130 miles north of Baghdad. The assailant opened fire after an argument and was killed in the shootout that followed, said the city's police chief. He did not provide details on the nature of the argument. At least 4,418 US military personnel have been killed in Iraq since the war began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. (More US military stories.)