A sniper killed a US soldier in Baghdad last night while a mortar attack on an American military base to the northwest wounded at least 19 others, the US military said today.
Witnesses said two more soldiers were wounded in an explosion in the Iraqi capital this morning.
News of the attacks cast a sombre shadow on July 4th celebrations for the 150,000 US troops and civilian administrators in Iraq. It also underscored suspicions that Iraqi resistance fighters were becoming bolder, more organised and deadlier.
The latest wave of attacks came as the United States stepped up its hunt for Saddam Hussein, placing a $25 million bounty on his head. Washington blames diehard supporters of the deposed president for launching the attacks.
A US military spokesman said that in last night's attacks, the sniper shot and fatally wounded the American soldier in a Bradley armoured vehicle in Baghdad.
One soldier was rushed to hospital but died shortly afterwards from his wounds. The 19 soldiers were wounded when a base for logistical support forces to the northwest of Baghdad came under mortar attack.
Witnesses said two US soldiers were wounded today when an explosion targeted a Humvee vehicle on the outskirts of Baghdad.
The attacks are the latest in a spate of increasingly bold guerrilla-style ambushes. In previous attacks yesterday, 10 American soldiers were wounded in three separate strikes that also killed two Iraqis and wounded a dozen.
US forces have come under daily attacks in recent weeks. Twenty-six American soldiers have been killed in Iraq since major combat was declared over in May. Six British soldiers have died in the same period.
The attacks have continued despite a crackdown by US troops in areas to the northeast and north of the capital, once a hotbed for Saddam loyalists.