212 US soldiers killed in Iraq since war began: Pentagon

July 11 2003



A total of 212 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq, including 143 who died in combat since the outset of the war, the Defence Department said yesterday.

The total includes 74 soldiers who have died since May 1, when US President George W. Bush declared the end of major hostilities in Iraq, Lieutenant-Colonel Cynthia Colin said.

Since May 1, 29 soldiers have been killed in combat, and 45 others died in non-hostile situations, she said.

During the first Gulf War, 147 soldiers died in combat and 235 were killed in non-hostile situations.

The Pentagon did not say how many of the dead were victims of "friendly fire" incidents.