8 G.I.’s Die in Baghdad, Most in a Day Since ’05

A G.I. with a side arm dispersed children Tuesday in Baghdad after his armored vehicle ran into a ditch

BAGHDAD, Oct. 3 — Eight United States soldiers were killed Monday in Baghdad, the United States military said, the most in the capital in a day since July 2005.

Four of the soldiers died in a roadside bomb attack; the four others were killed by small-arms fire in separate incidents.

Monday’s loss also represented one of the highest nationwide death tolls for American troops in the past year. In late August, nine soldiers and a marine were killed in a day. But before that, the last time eight or more soldiers were killed in hostile action was last November.

“Obviously this was a tragic day, with eight killed in 24 hours,” said Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, a military spokesman.

The deadly day set back efforts by American and Iraqi troops to tame the sectarian violence that continues to besiege the capital. Since August, the military has made securing Baghdad a priority, pouring in additional troops and conducting neighborhood sweeps.

But the violence has continued, spiking over the last week with the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Military officials said last week that suicide bombings in Baghdad were at a record. At least 17 soldiers and marines have been killed since Saturday, most in Baghdad or Anbar Province, where fierce fighting continues between marines and Sunni insurgents.

According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, an independent group that compiles figures based on information from the American military, 74 soldiers and marines were killed in Iraq in September, the highest number since April, when 76 died.

The violence also claimed 51 civilians across the country on Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.

Note: this story references 74 troops killed in September, 2006. That count includes a soldier who died in Kuwait from non-combat injuries.

Read the rest at the NY Times