U.S. soldier killed in “non-combat” incident in Salah al-Din

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A U.S. Marine was killed in a “non-combat” incident in the province of Salah al-Din, bringing to 14 the number of U.S. servicemen killed in Iraq this month, according to the U.S. army in Iraq on Friday. “The Marine was killed in a non-combat incident on Friday (April 24),” read a U.S. army statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The incident is under investigation,” it added, not giving further details. Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Cpl. William C. Comstock, 21, of Van Buren, Ark., died April 22 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq,” the department said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com. The death brings to 4,277 the number of U.S. soldiers who have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. 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. 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. AmR (S) 1