Date:13/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031303171400.htm

International

Five U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD: F ive U.S. soldiers were killed and three others wounded in Iraq on Sunday, the U.S. military said on Monday.

The Iraqi army killed 42 militants and detained 53 others across Iraq, Al-Iraqiya TV reported on Monday citing a Defence Ministry statement. It said operations were carried out over 24 hours in Baghdad, Ramadi, Baquba and Kirkuk. The army also seized large amounts of weapons and defused dozens of explosive devices.

A marine, assigned to Multi National Force-West, was killed while conducting combat operations in the volatile Anbar Province in western Iraq, the military said in a statement.

Since March 2003, 3,195 U.S. soldiers have been killed.

- Agencies