Iraqi rebels target female U.S. soldiers - (United Press International)

Iraqi rebels target female U.S. soldiers - (United Press International): "Baghdad, Iraq, Jul. 1 (UPI) -- Terrorists in Iraqi rebel leader Abu Musab Zarqawi's network have been instructed to kidnap a female U.S. soldier, the Washington Times said Thursday.

'We have heard through intelligence channels that several extremist organizations are attempting to capture coalition servicemen and women,' said a senior military officer in Iraq. 'We have instituted additional force protection methods to thwart these attempts.'

Of the 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, about 11,000 are women. They work as drivers, medics, aviators, police and clerks. By law, they are banned from land combat, but they still come into close contact with the enemy." More...

This item was picked up in the Washington Times this week... - zzb