Iraqi Army Takes Over Security In Kirkuk

Iraqi and U.S. soldiers at the site of a bomb attack in Kirkuk this June (epa) September 1, 2006 – U.S. forces have formally handed over responsibilities for security in the city of Kirkuk to the Iraqi army.

Kirkuk, which lies 250 kilometers north of Baghdad, has recently witnessed an escalation of violence.

In other news, the U.S. military says two of its soldiers have died from injuries sustained in fighting in the western province of Al-Anbar.

The two were wounded on August 30. The U.S. military did not specify when they died.

The deaths bring to 17 the number of U.S. servicemen killed in Iraq since August 27.

More than 2,600 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion of the country.

(AFP, dpa)