The casualties came during one of the deadliest months in the war.

December was the third deadliest month for American troops since the start of the war, with insurgents claiming 111 soldiers' lives.

The deadliest month was this April, as insurgents stepped up their attacks.

The five civil airline crashes of recent weeks have made August the world's deadliest month for plane disasters in more than three years.

It also came near the end of the deadliest month for American forces in Iraq since last November.

Experts warn that the deadliest months are to come.

The two deadliest months for American forces since the beginning of the war have been associated with major offensives.

Rebels killed nearly 800 civilians and more than 70 American soldiers during that period, making it one of the war's deadliest months.

They say November was the deadliest month since the beginning of the uprising.

June was the deadliest month ever for the Southwest border, with 67 fatalities.