Insurgents down US helicopter, two soldiers killed

BAGHDAD, May 15 (Reuters) Insurgents shot down a US helicopter during fighting south of Baghdad killing two soldiers, the US military said today.

The incident took place near the town of Yusifiya 15 km south of the capital yesterday. The area is a stronghold of the Sunni Arab insurgency against US-forces and the Shi'ite-led government they back.

''Two soldiers died ... when their helicopter was shot down during fighting in Yusifiya,'' a US statement said, giving no further details.

REUTERS SHB BST1449