Iraqi minister: Torture claims exaggerated (AP) Updated: 2005-11-17 21:53
On Wednesday, five U.S. Marines were killed in fighting with al-Qaida-led
insurgents near the Syrian border and an Army soldier died of wounds suffered in
Baghdad, making it the second deadliest day for American forces in Iraq this
month.
The soldier, from the Army's Task Force Baghdad, died Wednesday of wounds
suffered the day before when a roadside bomb exploded northwest of the capital,
the U.S. command said. Three other soldiers were killed Tuesday in a roadside
bombing in the same area. But it was unclear if the soldier who died Wednesday
was injured in the same attack.
The six deaths made Wednesday the deadliest day for American forces in Iraq
since Nov. 2, when seven service members died in four separate attacks. At least
51 U.S. service members have died in Iraq this month.
For the Marines, it was the worst single-day loss since they launched an
offensive Nov. 5 to push al-Qaida-led insurgents from a series of towns along
the Euphrates River used by foreign fighters to slip into the country from
Syria.
A Marine statement did not give any details of the Wednesday losses, and
names of the victims were withheld pending notification of their families. They
were assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2 of the 2nd Marine Division.
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