U.S. deaths in Iraq near 1,000

Clashes erupt in Baghdad's Sadr City

Tuesday, September 7, 2004 Posted: 9:37 AM EDT (1337 GMT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Twelve U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq since Monday in six combat incidents, U.S. military officials said, bringing the number of American deaths in the war to 998.

Five soldiers and seven Marines were killed in the fighting. The latest death came Tuesday morning in Baghdad's Sadr City when a rocket-propelled grenade attack killed a soldier, the military said.

The Sadr City fighting erupted between U.S. forces and insurgents in the teeming slum after a few days of calm.

Battles between U.S. troops and militants loyal to Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr killed at least 33 Iraqis in the Baghdad slum district and wounded 200 others, Iraqi officials said.

Three tanks and three other U.S. military vehicles were burning in Sadr City. Along with tanks, armored personnel carriers, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and jets were seen and heard.

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Face it folks, its a quagmire.