US casualties hit new high in Iraq By North America Correspondent Michael Rowland
Posted 4 hours 13 minutes ago Casualties up: the military says more troops are in harm's way because of the surge strategy (File photo)
Casualties up: the military says more troops are in harm's way because of the surge strategy (File photo) (Reuters: Damir Sagolj )
This year has proved to be the deadliest year for US troops in Iraq so far, with the death toll now the highest since the March 2003 invasion.
At least 852 American military personnel have died this year, according to figures compiled by Associated Press. Five US soldiers died on Monday in two separate roadside bomb attacks.
The high death toll this year comes despite a sharp drop in American casualties in recent months, as the so-called 'troop surge' takes effect.
There were 39 American deaths in October compared to 65 in September.
US commanders say the tactic of putting more troops into danger zones to hunt down insurgents is contributing the higher annual death toll.
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