U.S. soldier killed, 4 injured in Dalouiya

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: One U.S. soldier was killed and four others were wounded while conducting combat operations in Dalouiya, northwest of Baghdad, the U.S. army said. “A Coalition forces Soldier was killed and four injured Wednesday morning (May 13) while conducting combat operations in Dalouiya, approximately 80 km northwest of Baghdad, when their unit came in contact with enemy forces,” the U.S. army said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The unit was conducting operations to rid Iraq of a weapons facilitator and suicide vest cell known to be operating in the area,” it added. The death brings to 4,295 the number of U.S. soldiers who have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Thirteen U.S. solders have been so far killed in May. Nineteen soldiers were killed in April 2009. A total of 486 U.S. troops were killed in 2003, while 849 died in 2004. Another 846 troops were killed in 2005, and 822 soldiers in 2006. The year 2007 remains the year that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 904. November 2004, which witnessed fierce battles between U.S. forces and armed groups in Falluja city, Anbar province, remains the month that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 137. SH (S) 1