1st U.S. casualty in Feb.

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: One U.S. serviceman died as a result of non-combat related injuries, raising the number of U.S. fatalities in 2009 to 16, the U.S. army said. “A U.S. Soldier died as a result of a non-combat related injury in Kirkuk, Iraq Jan 31,” read a U.S. army statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin and release by the Department of Defense,” the statement added. The death brings the number of U.S. soldiers who have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 to 4,237. A total of 486 U.S. troops were killed in 2003, while 849 died in 2004. Other 846 troops were killed in 2005, and 822 soldiers in 2006. 2007 remains the year that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 904. November 2004, which witnessed fierce battles between U.S. forces and armed groups in Falluja city, Anbar province, remains the month that saw the highest U.S. death toll with 137. SS (P) 1