Three suicide bombers launch attacks in Samarra; two Iraqis killed, three U.S. soldiers wounded

Three suicide bombers tried to attack an American military base in this city on Monday, killing two Iraqis and injuring nine people, including three U.S. soldiers, police and military officials said.

Two suicide bombers detonated their car bombs at about 7 a.m. outside a U.S. base in downtown Samarra, 95 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad, Maj. Richard Goldenberg said.

A third militant approached the scene wearing an explosives-packed vest and was shot by soldiers, but still managed to set off his bomb, killing himself but causing no other injuries or damage, Goldenberg said.

Iraqi police Lt. Qassim Mohammed said two Iraqi men were killed and six wounded, including women and children, in the attacks.

Three Task Force Liberty soldiers also sustained non life-threatening wounds, Goldenberg added.

U.S. and Iraqi security forces quickly cordoned off the area, blocking all vehicle and pedestrian traffic out of apparent fear that further terrorist attacks could be launched against the base.

Separately, a suicide bomber injured four Iraqi civilians in a Sunday attack in a neighborhood in Mosul, 360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad, the U.S. military said in a statement.