Bloody June in Iraq

The U.S. troop surge is topping out in terms of numbers — and, unfortunately, the death toll for American forces and Iraqis is also climbing this month. The BBC reports that 14 U.S. soldiers were reported killed Wednesday and Thursday, and suicide bombings continued to claim lives elsewhere in the country.

BBC:

Twelve died in four attacks in Baghdad, officials said, where a four-month-old military “surge” has now reached its peak with some 160,000 troops deployed.

The US has also said it killed dozens of insurgents on the first two days of a major operation north of Baghdad.

Elsewhere at least 15 people died and 40 others were hurt in a suicide truck bomb attack in northern Iraq.

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