BAGHDAD, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Three United States soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division were killed Thursday in an attack in northern Iraq, a US military spokesman said.

　　The soldiers came under attack from gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades while operating. There were n o reports of injures so far.

　　That brings the total of US soldiers killed by hostile fires to 44 since US President George W. Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq on May 1.

　　The 101st Airborne Division, which is based in Iraq's northern city of Mosul, raided a villa Tuesday, killing two sons of Saddam Hussein

　　Two US soldiers were killed Wednesday in separate attacks in Iraq. End