Were soldiers killed by Iraqis as retribution?

U.S. probes link to civilian rape, death
"The rarity of kidnappings of U.S. troops -- only one other is missing in Iraq -- and the apparent complexity and brutality of the attack in Yousifiya have investigators looking further into the possible connections. Another American soldier was killed in the attack."
"The attack on the three American soldiers working alone at a checkpoint in Yousifiya, near Mahmoudiya, occurred in June. One soldier, Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Mass., was killed immediately. The others, Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston and Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore., were kidnapped. When found, they had been beheaded and their bodies were brutalized."
"It was during counseling following the deaths of the three soldiers that military officials learned about the allegations that Americans, not insurgents, were responsible for the quadruple killing in Mahmoudiya."

Also very interesting:
"In Iraq yesterday, another high-ranking Iraqi official was briefly kidnapped on the outskirts of Baghdad. Gunmen seized the deputy minister of electricity and his 11 bodyguards as they were traveling toward the city in a four-car caravan."
"The minister, Raad Hareth, was ambushed by gunmen dressed in security force uniforms at a fake checkpoint and his bodyguards offered no resistance, officials. He was released last night with no explanation."

- Vox