A U.S. military helicopter fired on suspected insurgents in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Wednesday, killing one person.

Officials say two other people were wounded in the strike, which took place after gunmen fired seven rockets at U.S. and Iraqi forces stationed at the city's airport.

Two days ago, a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle near a police compound in the oil hub city, killing five people.

Overall violence in Iraq has dropped sharply since its peak in 2006 and 2007. However, a spate of recent attacks have raised concerns about a possible increase in violence as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw at the end of the year.