US military reports 14 deaths in 3 days

BAGHDAD -- The US military yesterday announced the deaths of 14 more soldiers in the past three days, a heavy toll that underscored the increased exposure of American forces as reinforcements push deeper into war-torn neighborhoods of Baghdad and outlying areas in a bid to flush out militants.

Northeast of the capital, a car bomb exploded about 200 yards from the entrance of a US military base, unleashing a noxious cloud of chlorine gas that sickened at least 62 soldiers but caused no injuries, the military said. All of those exposed returned to duty the same day.

The use of chlorine canisters to turn an ordinary bomb into a chemical weapon has become a signature tactic of insurgents fighting US and Iraqi forces in Anbar Province, west of Baghdad. But yesterday's attack was believed to be the first time the method was used in Diyala Province, north and east of the capital.

At least 62 Iraqis died or were reported killed in bomb blasts, gunfights, and other violence, including a priest and three bishops slain by gunmen in the northern city of Mosul.

US officials had warned that increased American casualties were likely during the troop buildup that began in mid-February. A key part of the plan is the establishment of joint security stations with Iraqi police and soldiers in many of Baghdad's most troubled sections and increased visibility in the streets.

The military had previously reported the death of at least one other US soldier this month. At least 3,494 US troops have died since the conflict began in March 2003, according to the website icasualties.org.

Last month was the third deadliest so far for US forces in Iraq, with 127 personnel reported killed.

Eight of the 14 US soldiers whose deaths were reported yesterday died in bomb blasts in and around the capital in the past two days. Four of them were slain in a single explosion yesterday during a search operation northwest of the capital, the military said.

Two other soldiers were killed Saturday in roadside bombings in Diyala, and two died in similar attacks the same day in Nineveh Province, north of Baghdad, the military said.

Southwest of the capital, a US patrol attempted to question two suspicious people near a mosque Friday. As they approached, one of the men blew himself up, killing one soldier in the patrol, the military said. Another soldier was killed by small-arms fire Saturday while patrolling south of Baghdad.

A thick smell of chorine hung over Forward Operating Base Warhorse on the edge of the Diyala provincial capital, Baqubah, after yesterday's attack. The 62 soldiers affected sought treatment for dizziness and nausea, said Major Raul Marquez, a military spokesman at the base. In high doses, chlorine gas can cause fatal lung damage.

Groups linked to Al Qaeda have used trucks laden with explosives and chlorine gas at least 10 times since January in their fight against Sunni Arab tribesmen who have joined forces with US and Iraqi troops in Anbar.

An hour before the chlorine attack, nine mortar rounds were fired at the base, injuring two soldiers. One soldier was hit by shrapnel in the forehead while getting a haircut at the barber shop before going on leave, the military said. Another suffered a gash to his hand.