First U.S. soldier killed in June

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: One U.S. soldier was killed Tuesday in a bomb explosion in eastern Baghdad , the first in June, the U.S. army said. “A U.S. Soldier died June 2 of combat-related injuries after an improvised explosive device detonated near a patrol in eastern Baghdad ,” said the U.S. army in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The Soldier’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin,” it added. This is the first U.S. fatality in June. The death brings to 4,308 the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, including 87 soldiers k illed in 2009. 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)/SR 1