BAGHDAD, Sept 26 (KUNA) -- A blast in southern Baghdad on Friday killed three Iraqi children, according to the US Army.

An Army statement said the blast occurred on Thursday in Al-Rasheed area south of here, adding that the US troops rushed to the scene and transported the wounded to a nearby hospital.

"At approximately 6:45 p.m., policemen from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, reported that three Iraqi children were killed and two were injured when an improvised-explosive device detonated", the statement added.

It pointed out that soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, arrived on the scene to conduct a post blast analysis.

"This attack is a tragedy and clearly demonstrates that the cowardly enemy will stoop to the lowest level to commit atrocious attacks on innocent children," said Lt. Col. Paul Hossenlopp, deputy commander, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

"The Soldiers of the 1st BCT partner with the brave volunteers of the ISF work daily to free the streets and neighborhoods of Rasheed from the extreme violence of terrorists", he added. (end)