2 U.S. soldiers killed by small-arms fire in northern Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Two U.S. soldiers were killed an two others were wounded in a small-arms fire attack near Biaj district in Ninewa province, raising the U.S. fatalities in November to 17, the U.S. army said on Wednesday. “One U.S. Marine and an U.S. Military Transition team Soldier were killed in a small-arms fire attack while conducting a humanitarian assistance operation near Biaj Nov. 25,” the army said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com. “Two Marines and three civilians were also wounded in the attack,” it added. “While in the midst of the unit conducting the mission the unit came under fire by two men, one of whom appeared to be wearing an Iraqi uniform. The Iraqi Security and Coalition forces immediately cordoned off the area,” it said. “The attack appears to have been unprovoked, said Col. Bill Buckner, spokesman for the Multi-National Corps – Iraq. “It is unknown if the attacker was an Iraqi soldier or an insurgent in disguise.” “The incident is under a joint investigation,” the statement noted. The deaths bring the number of U.S. soldiers who have been reported killed in Iraq this month to 17, including ten in non-combat incidents, and to 4,207 the number killed since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Fourteen U.S. troops died in October, seven of them from non-combat causes, while 25 soldiers died in September, including nine of non-combat related causes. Other 23 soldiers were killed in August 2008, in addition to 13 troops who were announced dead in July, the month with the lowest U.S. deaths. 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. April 2004 comes second with 135, followed by May 2007 during which 126 U.S. soldiers were killed. SH (S) 1