Five U.S. Soldiers Die in Ambush Near Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Five U.S. soldiers were killed and five wounded on Friday when their vehicles were attacked in east Baghdad, the U.S. military said.

The 10 soldiers were members of Task Force Baghdad (search), which is made up primarily of the Texas-based 1st Cavalry Division (search), said division spokesman Army Lt. Col. James Hutton.

The vehicles came under attack shortly after 1 p.m. on Palestine Street near the Shiite district of Sadr City (search). Video from Associated Press Television News showed the burning wreckage of a Humvee (search) and a huge plume of black smoke rising from the mangled vehicle.

At least three bodies, apparently of U.S. soldiers, lay on the ground nearby.

About six other American soldiers were seen loading the bodies onto another Humvee and guarding the site.