The leader of the Iraqi wing of the terrorist group, Al-Qaeda, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has been wounded, according to a statement from the group.
The statement posted on the group's website, which could not be verified, said that Zarqawi had been hurt and asked for Mulsims to pray for him.
It comes after three US soldiers and two Iraqis were killed in two separate car bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
The three soldiers died when a car bomb exploded near their patrol, the US military said.
Earlier today, at least two people were killed and eight others hurt when a car bomb was detonated next to an Iraqi police convoy.
At least 60 people were killed in violent attacks across Iraq yesterday.
The incidents come in a sharp escalation in insurgent violence since Iraq's new government was announced four weeks ago.
Since the administration was formed, more than 600 Iraqis have died.
