Missing US troops in area where many live in fear

BAGHDAD, June 18 (Reuters) Two US soldiers missing in Iraq since Friday disappeared into a lawless al Qaeda stronghold where residents say they are terrorised by unknown militants.

Military helicopters and divers are combing the rural Euphrates river area south of Baghdad for the troops who went missing after an attack on their checkpoint near the town of Yusufiya killed another US soldier.

Most people in the Sunni Arab region resent the presence of the US troops. But even if they wanted to help the two soldiers, doing so could be fatal.

''We live in fear. Gunmen always go to people's houses asking about who works for the Iraqi army or police or the Americans,'' taxi driver Abdullah Jassim told Reuters by telephone.

''If they find out you have any ties with the Americans or the Iraqi government they will certainly kill you.'' Yusufiya is in an area some Iraqis call the ''Triangle of Death'' for its frequent attacks by insurgents who carry out bombings, shootings and kidnappings as part of a campaign aimed at toppling the Shi'ite-led, US-backed government.

It has been one of the most difficult areas for US troops to root out rebels because of the landscape. The triangle lies on a direct route from the guerrilla bastion of Ramadi, which offers a steady supply of fighters and weapons.

And its numerous orchards, complicated network of canals from the Euphrates and thick grass offer ideal hiding places.

Residents say bearded Iraqi militants as well as foreign fighters, believed to be al Qaeda militants, have become more and more powerful in the area.

''We try not to go out too much. When we go to the market we do it very quickly,'' said Jassim.

In their traditional flowing Arab robes with chequered red and white headdresses or wide black pants and shirts with black ski masks, insurgents freely roam the streets, residents say.

People don't know who the bearded militants are. They think most are Iraqi but are afraid to ask.

''We cannot say anything to these people. We are afraid that if we open our mouths they will just shoot us,'' said local council employee Muhammad Amaar. ''They do what they want and no one dares question them.'' Iraqi army troops and police are especially vulnerable. Their convoys are often ambushed or blown up by roadside bombs along the main road through the triangle, one of the most dangerous in Iraq.

Police officials said it's not an environment the two US soldiers could likely survive if they fell into the wrong hands.

''We still don't know their fate. But these people kill anyone associated with the Americans,'' said a police official in Yusufiya, who asked not to be named for his safety.

REUTERS KD KN1742