BAGHDAD — The U.S. military on Sunday announced the deaths of 14 soldiers in the last three days, a heavy toll that underscored the increased exposure of American forces as reinforcements push deeper into war-torn neighborhoods of Baghdad and outlying areas in a bid to flush out militants.
Northeast of the Iraqi capital, a car bomb exploded about 200 yards from the entrance of a U.S. military base, unleashing a noxious cloud of chlorine gas that sickened at least 62 soldiers but caused no injuries, the military said. All of those exposed returned to duty the same day.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday June 06, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 32 words Type of Material: Correction
Execution victims: An article in Monday's Section A about violence in Iraq identified victims of one attack as three bishops and a priest. The slain Christians were a priest and three deacons.
The use of chlorine to turn an ordinary bomb into a chemical weapon has become a signature tactic of insurgents fighting U.S. and Iraqi forces in Al Anbar province, west of Baghdad. But Sunday's attack was believed to be the first time the method was used in Diyala province.
At least 62 Iraqis were found dead or reported killed in bomb blasts, gunfights and other violence across the country, including a priest and three bishops slain by gunmen in the northern city of Mosul.
U.S. officials had warned that an increase in American casualties was likely during the troop buildup that began in mid-February. A key part of the plan is the establishment of joint security stations with Iraqi police and soldiers in many of Baghdad's most troubled sections and increased visibility in the streets.
The military had previously reported the death of at least one other U.S. soldier this month. At least 3,494 U.S. troops have died since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, according to the website icasualties.org, which tracks casualties.
Last month was the third deadliest so far for U.S. forces in Iraq, with 127 personnel reported killed.
Eight of the 14 U.S. soldiers whose deaths were reported Sunday died in bomb blasts in and around the capital in the last two days. Four were slain in an explosion Sunday during a search operation northwest of the capital, the military said.
In addition, two other soldiers were killed Saturday in roadside bombings in Diyala, and two died in similar attacks the same day in Nineveh province, north of Baghdad, the military said.
Southwest of the capital, a U.S. patrol attempted to question two suspicious people near a mosque Friday. As they approached, one of the men blew himself up, killing one soldier in the patrol, the military said. Another soldier was killed by small-arms fire Saturday while patrolling south of Baghdad.
