US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,424

WASHINGTON: As of Wednesday, Sept. 29, at least 4,424 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to a count by a US news agency.

The figure includes nine military civilians killed in action. At least 3,494 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

The news agency count is three fewer than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Wednesday at 10 a.m. EDT.

Since the start of U.S. military operations in Iraq, 31,964 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department's weekly tally.