Soldier killed when base shelled in Iraq

Soldier killed when base shelled in Iraq
By Sameer N. Yacoub - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Mar 3, 2009 17:10:31 EST

BAGHDAD — Insurgents attacked a main U.S.-Iraqi base Tuesday in the northern city of Mosul, killing one American soldier and striking directly at the Iraqi command center for an offensive against the militants.

The barrage underscored the resilience of al-Qaida in Iraq and other groups after repeated attempts to break their hold in Mosul, a dangerous city where at least seven U.S. soldiers have been killed since early February.

With the U.S. combat role in Iraq set to end in August 2010, Mosul represents one of the key remaining showdowns with insurgents. American military planners have backed up Iraqi forces in the crackdown launched last month.

The attack Tuesday hit Forward Operating Base Diamondback in southern Mosul, according to the U.S. military.

Initial reports indicate it was a rocket attack, the U.S. military said. Rockets have hit U.S. forces in and around Baghdad, but much less frequently in Mosul and surrounding areas.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_casualty_iraq_030309/%2e



uhc comment: To date four thousand two hundred fifty five American soldiers have been killed in the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq --> http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx