U.S. soldier dies near Samarra

U BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The U.S. army on Monday announced the death of one of its soldiers as a result of a non-combat related injury near the city of Samarra, raising the number of U.S. deaths in 2009 to four. “A U.S. Solder died as a result of a non-combat related injury near Samarra, Iraq Jan. 11,” said the U.S. army in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The incident is under investigation,” it added. The death brings the number of U.S. soldiers who have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 to 4,225. A total of 486 U.S. troops were killed in 2003, while 849 died in 2004. Other 846 troops were killed in 2005, and 822 soldiers in 2006. 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)/SR 1