Nine Marines killed in rebel Iraqi province: new toll

BAGHDAD, Oct 31 (AFP) - Nine US marines were killed and nine others injured in Iraq's rebel heartlands west of Baghdad on Saturday while conducting "increased security operations", according to a new toll issued by the US army early Sunday.
It was one of the heaviest daily tolls for US forces in the region which includes the flashpoint towns of Fallujah and Ramadi.
"The total number of Marines killed in action has risen to nine. The number of injured remains nine," the military statement said. The previous toll spoke of eight members of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force killed in the attack.
The army refused to give details of the deaths, saying that the publication of other details could place its personnel under even greater risk.
The latest deaths brought to 1,113 the number of US military personnel killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003, according to a Pentagon tally.

10/31/2004 04:18 GMT - AFP