U.S. soldier killed near Samawa

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The U.S. army said on Tuesday that one of its soldiers was killed in a bomb blast in Muthanna province in southern Iraq, raising the U.S. fatalities in June to 6. “A Multi-National Division–South Soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device near the city of Samawa June 16,” said a U.S. army statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The death also brings to 4,313 the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. A total of 486 U.S. troops were killed in 2003, 849 in 2004, 846 troops in 2005 and 822 soldiers in 2006. However, 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 (P) 1