US marine killed in accident during combat in Iraq's Fallujah

BAGHDAD - A US marine was killed in a vehicle accident during combat operations two days ago in Iraq's former rebel-stronghold of Fallujah, the US military said on Friday.
"A marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team eight, 2nd Marine Division was killed Wednesday as the result of a vehicle accident that occurred during combat operations in Fallujah," said a statement from the military without providing further details.
US and Iraqi forces continue to battle pockets of insurgents in Fallujah and the outlying restive Al-Anbar province, west of Baghdad, despite a massive onslaught against rebels that left hundreds of people dead and the city in ruins.
The death brings to 1,536 the number of US military personnel who have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion more than two years ago, according to a toll based on Pentagon figures.

04/08/2005 07:22 GMT