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BAGHDAD - United States-led soldiers control only about a third of Baghdad, the military said yesterday, almost four months into a security crackdown during which troops are being killed at rates not seen for over two years.
More than 18,000 extra US troops have been deployed around Baghdad as part of the campaign, which began in mid-February. The last of five brigades is to be deployed soon.
The New York Times said an internal military assessment showed US and Iraqi troops controlled 146 of Baghdad's 457 neighbourhoods. Troops had either not begun operations or still faced resistance in the other 311.
So far 17 US soldiers have been killed this month. May was the third-worst month for US soldiers since the invasion.
- REUTERS
