A U.S. military helicopter has crashed northwest of Baghdad, killing two soldiers on board. Military authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Separately authorities say two Iraqi civilians were killed in a roadside bomb blast near a Baghdad police station, and a U.S. soldier was killed by small-arms fire while investigating a burning vehicle.
In Washington Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says Iraq's own forces will ultimately defeat the insurgency, but he says the conflict could last for years.
Speaking on U.S. television Sunday, Mr. Rumsfeld also said Iraqi and U.S. officials have held various talks with insurgents, but not with the most violent groups.
The head of U.S. forces in Iraq, General John Abizaid, said Iraqi forces will need coalition support for a long time.