4 American soldiers die in Iraq blast (Chicago Tribune)

By Noam N. Levey Tribune Newspapers: Los Angeles Times

Iraqi insurgents killed four American soldiers and assassinated a Baghdad judge Thursday while beleaguered government officials and U.S. military leaders worked to shift attention from the violence to efforts to rebuild the country.

The soldiers died when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the city of Samarra, about 75 miles north of Baghdad, according to the U.S. military.

The attack occurred on a dirt road in the southern section of the city, which was once home to the largest mosque in the Islamic world but more recently has become a frequent flash point in the insurgency. Military officials did not provide further details Thursday.

This is an update from yesterdays posting.

Semper Fi