U.S. military reports deaths of five more troops in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Five more U.S. troops have died in Iraq, including three Marines killed in combat in volatile Anbar province, the U.S. command said Tuesday.<br/> <br/>The three Marines assigned to

Tuesday, December 12th 2006, 3:46 pm

By: News On 6

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) Five more U.S. troops have died in Iraq, including three Marines killed in combat in volatile Anbar province, the U.S. command said Tuesday.

The three Marines assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing died Monday of wounds sustained fighting insurgents, according to a statement.

The U.S. military said those killed were not linked to a hard landing Monday by a Marine helicopter in Anbar. At least 18 people were injured in that incident but hostile fire did not appear to be the cause, the military said.

Another Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 also died Monday from non-hostile causes in Anbar, which stretches west from Baghdad to the borders of Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The military said a 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) soldier died Monday of apparent natural causes near Diwaniyah, 80 miles south of Baghdad. The soldier lost consciousness and died after being transported to a troop medical clinic.

The deaths raised to 51 the number of troops who have died this month. At least 2,939 members of the U.S. military have died since the war began in 2003, according to an Associated Press count.