The action took place in the southern province of Dhi Qar where the convoy was hit by RPG rockets.

An agreement between Baghdad and Washington stipulated that all US combat troops would leave Iraqi territory before December 31, despite which hostility against the US soldiers is still present.

By virtue of the agreement, some 2,500 US military personnel would remain in Iraq as advisers, as well as 1,000 from the international coalition of about 50 countries.

jg/msm/arc