US soldiers kill 26 Iraqi militants

The high number of deaths in Sunday's daylight battle south of Baghdad was attributed to the large number of attackers, unusual in a country where most clashes are carried out by small bands of gunmen or suicide bombers.

"I was surprised at the numbers," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein, a squad leader for the 617th Military Police Company of Richmond, Ky., and a native of Henryville, Ind., involved in the firefight. "Usually we can usually expect seven to 10."

A US soldier was killed in action on Monday in Iraq's restive Al-Anbar province, west of Baghdad, the US military said Tuesday in a statement.

"A Marine assigned to 1st Marine Expeditionary Force was killed in action March 21, while conducting security and stability operations in the Al Anbar province," the statement said, declining to give further details.