3 suicide bombs hit US military position in Iraq
"What we have right now is three confirmed suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices," First Lieutenant Kate VandenBossche, a spokeswoman for the US marines, told AFP.
She said two soldiers were injured in the early morning attack on the Camp Gannon forward operation base, adding: "We are still trying to determine if the casualties were coalition or Iraqi security forces."
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Qaim, where insurgents are suspected of regularly crossing into Iraq from Syria, is the site of frequent clashes between rebels and US forces. It lies about 300km west of Baghdad in Al-Anbar province.
"The blast was incredible," said Iraqi police Lieutenant Yasir al-Hadithi, adding that US helicopters were hovering over the scene of the attack which was followed by the sound of heavy gunfire.
Underscoring the relentless violence that plagues Iraq two years since the fall of Saddam's regime, the family of Malik Muhammad Javed, a Pakistani embassy official abducted in Baghdad two days ago, were in tears over his fate.
He went missing Saturday after going to a mosque for evening prayers.
"They are all crying and consoling each other," said Javed's elder son, Bilal Malik, at the family's home in Islamabad.
Pakistan's information minister Sheikh Rashid said his government has intensified its efforts to release Javed, who did not hold diplomatic status.
His captors had placed "some conditions" on his release, Rashid said.
"In the interest of the safety of our man and not to undermine the chances of his release, it would not be appropriate to reveal their demands," he said.
But an unnamed official told AFP the kidnappers had demanded an unspecified amount of money.
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