Two US soldiers were injured when their vehicles hit an improvised explosive device in a tunnel in central Baghdad bringing to a close a relative period of calm for occupation troops in the Iraqi capital. The army convoy was heading over Jamhuriya bridge spanning the Tigris river when explosives were detonated. One of the Humvees they were traveling in was overturned, while the other was damaged. In another incident an unconfirmed number of American soldiers were hurt in Baghdad's al-Tayran tunnel. Smoke was seen billowing from the underpass though military officials prevented reporters from accessing the scene. North of Baghdad, US troops carried out pre-dawn raids on Monday, ramming down gates, kicking in doors and arresting Iraqis suspected of having links to militia fighters thought to be behind attacks on occupation forces. "This sends a message to the bad guys: 'We will hunt you down'," Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell, who led the simultaneous raids that targeted Iraqis hiding throughout Tikrit, told AFP. **Bush Request 87 billion USD*** Iraq is on the front line in the "war on terrorism" and deserves more money from Congress, US President George W.Bush has told Americans in a televised address. He will ask for another 87 billion dollars to shore up Iraq and Afghanistan, also key to his anti-terrorist battle. Bush urged the UN to beef up the international force in Iraq: "Some countries have requested an explicit authorization from the United Nations security council before sending troops to Iraq. I have directed Secretary Colin Powell to introduce a new United Nations resolution, which will authorize the creation of a multinational force, led by America. The United Nations has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to assume a broader role in assuring that Iraq becomes a free and democratic nation," he said. The almost daily deaths of US troops in Iraq have dragged down Bush's approval ratings as he heads towards his 2004 re-election campaign. **PHOTO CAPTION*** A US soldier patrols a street in Baghdad. (AFP/Rabih Moghrabi)