Nine More U.S. Troops Killed In Iraq

The U.S. military on Saturday reported nine American troops killed, including five in fighting in Anbar province and three others in separate attacks south of the capital. The deaths raised to nearly 100 the number of troops who have died in Iraq this month.

The deadliest incident occurred Friday when three soldiers and two Marines died during combat operations in Anbar province, a Sunni insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said Saturday. The five were assigned to Multinational Force-West, the statement said.

A roadside bomb killed three Task Force Marne soldiers and wounded another Saturday when their patrol was struck southeast of Baghdad, the military said. Another Task Force Marne soldier also was killed and two were wounded when their patrol was struck by a roadside bomb south of the capital.

The deaths raised to 99 the number of members of the U.S. military who have died this month and at least 3,346 who have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Identities of the deceased were withheld pending notification of relatives.