2 AMERICANS KILLED IN BAGHADAD'S GREEN ZONE

The situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate. There have been numerous suicide bombings in the past two weeks claiming the lives of over 150 Iraqi civilians. On Saturday, two Americans were killed in separate incidents inside the highly fortified Green Zone.

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Two Americans have been killed in separate incidents inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Saturday, raising concerns about its security as Iraq's forces assume more control over the sprawling district.

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The body of an American contractor was found Friday in a vehicle in the Green Zone, and another contractor was killed by a rocket attack that night near the American Embassy, a U.S. military official said.

The two deaths come as the Iraqi government has begun tearing down the protective blast walls surrounding the Green Zone, which houses a number of government ministries as well as the American Embassy.

Iraq assumed control of the zone under a U.S.-Iraqi security pact that took effect Jan. 1. The U.S. continues to provide its own security in key areas, such as near the embassy and at the small military base inside.