Two U.S. Troops Killed in Iraq Explosion

By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A workshop believed to be producing chemical munitions exploded in flames Monday moments after U.S. troops broke in to search it, killing two soldiers and wounding five. Jubilant Iraqis swarmed over the Americans' charred Humvees, waving looted machine guns, a bandolier and a helmet.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt did not say what sort of chemical agents were suspected of being supplied to insurgents from the Baghdad warehouse. After the blast, there was no sign of precautions against chemicals. "Chemical munitions could mean any number of things," including smoke grenades, he said.

In Fallujah, U.S. troops came under a heavy insurgent attack a day after U.S. officials decided to extend a cease-fire rather than launch a full-scale offensive on the city. One Marine and eight insurgents were killed.

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722 American soldiers have died in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction that did not exist.