Military KIA Reaches 4,000 in Iraq

The AP reports:

A roadside bomb killed four U.S. soldiers in Baghdad on Sunday,
the military said, pushing the overall American death toll in the five-year
warto at least 4,000.

The grim milestone came on the same day that rockets and mortars pounded the
U.S.-protected Green Zone, underscoring the fragile security situation and the
resilience of both Sunni and Shiite extremist groups despite an overall lull in
violence.

A Multi-National Division -- Baghdad soldier also was wounded in the roadside
bombing, which struck the soldiers' patrol vehicle about 10 p.m. in southern
Baghdad, according to a statement.

Identities of those killed were withheld pending notification of relatives.

Navy Lt. Patrick Evans, a military spokesman, expressed condolences to all the
families who have lost a loved one in Iraq, saying each death is ''equally
tragic.''

''There have been some significant gains. However, this enemy is resilient and
will not give up, nor will we,'' he said. ''There's still a lot of work to be
done.''

The 4,000 figure is according to an Associated Press count that includes eight
civilians who worked for the Department of Defense.

Last year, the U.S. military deaths spiked along with the Pentagon's ''surge''
-- the arrival of more than 30,000 extra troops trying to regain control of
Baghdad and surrounding areas. The mission was generally considered a success,
but the cost was evident as soldiers pushed into Sunni insurgent strongholds and
challenged Shiite militias.

Military deaths rose above 100 for three consecutive months for the first time
during the war: April 2007, 104; May, 126 and June at 101.

The death toll has seesawed since, with 2007 ending as the deadliest year for
American troops at 901 deaths. That was 51 more deaths than 2004, the second
deadliest year for U.S. soldiers.