One U.S. Soldier Killed, One WoundedAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2004 -- A U.S. soldier was killed today and another wounded by an improvised explosive device, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported. Anti-Iraqi forces attacked a Task Force Danger patrol near Tuz about 11:43 a.m. The soldiers were evacuated to a coalition medical facility, where the wounded soldier is in stable condition. The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. Elsewhere, officials reported that coalition forces launched an early morning strike today on another safe house operated by terrorist leader Abu Musab al- Zarqawi. Credible intelligence confirmed Zarqawi leaders were at the safe house, located in northwest Fallujah. The strike occurred at about 1:15 a.m. local time. The release gave no details if any of the leaders were killed or captured in the strike. Military officials said the coalition continues to make progress in its effort to rid Fallujah of foreign terrorists. Coalition strikes on Zarqawi targets in the last month have killed several of his key leaders and delivered a significant blow to the terrorist leader's network. As evidence, key Zarqawi lieutenants Mohammed al-Lubnani, and spiritual advisor Abu Anas al-Shami, the No. 2 man in the network, were killed during military strikes in September. Multinational forces have conducted more than a dozen precision strikes against Zarqawi operational sites inside Fallujah and in nearby locations over the past month. In other developments, Task Force Baghdad soldiers, working off a tip, detained a truck carrying more than 1,500 155 mm artillery rounds Oct. 7. The driver and a passenger in the vehicle were detained. Military officials there report the seizure is one of the largest by the task force to date. Also in Iraq, a ceremony Oct. 7 at Camp Delta near Al Kut City, marked the transfer of authority for the Multinational Division Central South 2nd Brigade Combat Team, comprised of Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian Maj. Gen. Serhiy Popko assumed authority from Maj. Gen. Serhiy Ostrovsky. This is third rotation of Ukrainian Forces to the area. (Based on Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)
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