Franks, the head of Central Command, whose forces are leading the war against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, said they had been found by US marines and appeared to be healthy.

It was not clear if the soldiers were prisoners of war or missing in action, Franks said.

He said there were "six or seven" recovered, and that it was "correct" that they are in good shape.

He said he did not know if any women were among the group, adding, "We'll get better definition" on the matter later.

Franks said it was unclear at the moment where they came from, whether incidents with Apache helicopters that came down, or survivors of an ambush of the 507th Maintenance Company, Franks said.

"That's the reason I've been a little bit reluctant to pass anything on. I just think we don't ought to talk about what we don't know yet."

In Baghdad earlier a US commander who asked not to be named said, "What is believed to be six American soldiers from the army have been rescued from Iraqi forces after being held as prisoners of war about 60 mileskilometres) north of Baghdad.

"They are being ferried now to a shock trauma platoon in Baghdad urgently for attention."

Lieutenant Colonel Ken Kelly of the shock trauma platoon five, said he had been notified that the six would be arriving shortly and that preparations were under way for their arrival.

"Apparently, they are in such a condition that they are being brought to a forward critical care unit for evaluation," he said.

The commander who asked not to be named told AFP that specific instructions had been handed down from a general to see that the six were handled urgently.

No names or further details were released.

SPACE.WIRE