US forces in Iraq suffered more combat deaths in August than any month this year (WTNH)

(Washington-AP, Aug. 31, 2005 1:06 PM) _ U.S. forces in Iraq suffered at least 74 combat deaths in August -- more than in any month since last November and the third-highest total for any month of the war, according to Pentagon figures.

The total number of U.S. military deaths in August, including those deemed non-hostile, was at least 83, according to figures available Wednesday. That was the highest since 107 in January, when there was an extraordinary 53 accidental deaths for the month, including 30 Marines and a sailor who died in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash.

The U.S. military death toll had been declining in recent months, from 80 in May (67 hostile and 13 non-hostile) and 78 in June (69 hostile and nine non-hostile), to 54 in July (45 hostile and nine non-hostile). U.S. officials have said they expect insurgent violence to intensify further with the approach of an October referendum in Iraq on the new constitution.

The 74 troops killed in action in August was the third-highest monthly total of the war, behind 126 in April 2004 and 125 last November, when the Marines led a bloody assault on the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

There are about 138,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and U.S. officials say they probably will increase that temporarily to about 160,000 to provide extra security during the October referendum and a Dec. 15 national election.

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