US military: American service member dies in Iraq

[November 15, 2011]  BAGHDAD (AP) -- The U.S. military says an American service member has been killed while conducting military operations in central Iraq.

The military statement released Tuesday said the death occurred Monday. It gave no further details of the incident.

Violence has dropped dramatically across Iraq, but deadly bombings and shootings still happen nearly every day. Some officials have warned of an increase in attacks as the U.S. withdraws all of its troops from Iraq by the end of the year.

The statement said the incident is under investigation. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The death raises to at least 4,485 the number of U.S. military personnel who have died in Iraq since the war began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

[Associated Press]

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