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Breaking on MSNBC: BAGHDAD, Iraq - The top U.S. commander in Iraq thinks he knows who kidnapped three U.S. soldiers last weekend and believes that at least two of them are alive, the Army Times newspaper reported. “We know who that guy is,” Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview posted Saturday on the Army Times Web site. Petraeus did not give the man’s name but described him as “sort of an affiliate of al-Qaida. He’s the big player down in that area. We’ve tangled with him before.” More at link

Coalition, Iraqis Launch Massive Search for Missing Soldiers By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service BAGHDAD, June 17, 2006 – Coalition and Iraqi officials have launched a massive search operation for two coalition soldiers missing following an incident in Yusufiyah, Iraq, yesterday. Multinational Force Iraq spokesman Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said today a third soldier was killed in the fight. The names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The soldiers were manning a checkpoint at a canal crossing near the Euphrates River. Forces at a nearby traffic-control point heard an explosion and small-arms fire at about...

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. troops searched Saturday for two soldiers that went missing after an attack that killed one of their comrades at a traffic checkpoint in the so-called "Triangle of Death" just south of Baghdad, the military said. U.S. Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said four raids had been carried out since Friday's attack and that ground forces, helicopters and airplanes were taking part in the search. Countrywatch: Iraq The soldiers came under attack at a traffic checkpoint southwest of Youssifiyah, 12 miles south of Baghdad. A quick reaction force arrived at the scene after hearing small arms fire...