Naseer Al-Nahr, Asharq Al-Awsat

BAGHDAD, 1 December 2003 — In an orgy of violence, Iraqi fighters targeted US allies in weekend ambushes, killing two South Korean workers, two Japanese diplomats, a Colombian and two US soldiers. The US forces retaliated and killed 46 attackers and wounded at least 18 others who tried to strike military convoys in Samarra.

Five US troops and a civilian were wounded by the attackers, said a US military spokesman, who identified himself as Col. MacDonald.

The troops “repelled multiple ambush attempts on two separate logistical convoys and captured eight attackers in the city of Samarra,” said MacDonald. He said US forces used tanks against the attackers, who were dressed in uniforms of the pro-Saddam Fedayeen.

The South Koreans died yesterday when their car was sprayed with bullets near Saddam Hussein’s hometown, a day after ambushes killed seven Spanish intelligence agents, two Japanese diplomats and their Iraqi driver, and a Colombian contractor.

The US military said two American soldiers were also killed Saturday when guerrillas attacked their convoy with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades near the Syrian border. US combat losses total 74 for November alone and 301 for the whole campaign. The month also saw heavy losses among other US allies, notably 19 Italians killed in a suicide bombing.

The Japanese, South Korean and Spanish governments now face serious questions over their commitments to help the United States. Although the allies said the attacks would not deter them from helping the Iraqi people in restoring order, public opposition to deploying troops in Iraq is likely to be fuelled by grisly photographs showing Iraqi youths celebrating and kicking the corpses of the dead Spanish agents.

Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, who defied public opinion to back US President George W. Bush, remained defiant despite calls to recall the 1,300 Spanish troops in Iraq. “The fanatical hate which accompanied this latest atrocity has given us inconceivable images which we must never forget. We have no option but to face this fanaticism head on,” he said in a televised address to the nation.

Officials in Seoul said the South Koreans killed were electricity workers sub-contracted to an unnamed US firm.

The Koreans died on the same highway as two Japanese diplomats, who were gunned down Saturday along with their Iraqi driver as they bought food at a roadside stall.

The Colombian civilian contractor was killed and two colleagues were wounded when their convoy was ambushed near Balad, north of Baghdad.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has committed to sending more troops to Iraq in addition to 675 medics and military engineers deployed since May. But he has yet to make the politically sensitive decision whether to include combat forces in the expected 3,000-strong contingent.

Asked whether the killings would affect Korea’s decision to send more troops, Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo-hyuck told a briefing in Seoul: “It is too early to comment.”

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi risks a serious blow to his popularity if troops are sent to Iraq. But Koizumi said that Japan would not be deterred.

— Additional input from agencies