US casualties in Iraq surpass total 9/11 deaths


The latest deaths brought the number of U.S. military members killed since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003 to at least 2,978 - five more than the number killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

President Bush has said the Iraq war is part of the United States' post-Sept. 11 approach to threats abroad even though there has been no direct evidence of links between Saddam's regime and the Sept. 11 attacks. The Bush administration has gotten the U.S. bogged down in Iraq, detracting from efforts against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.

The Associated Press count of those U.S. military members killed in Iraq includes at least seven military civilians. Prior to the deaths announced Tuesday, the AP count was 15 higher than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Friday. At least 2,377 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/ap/2006/12/26/ap3282226.html

Posted: Tue - December 26, 2006 at 02:06 PM          

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