U.S. Death Toll in Iraq of 841 Nears Last Year's

Summary

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BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Two more U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq as the year wound down Friday, putting the American military death toll at 841 so far -- just five short of 2004's lost lives despite political progress and dogged efforts to quash the insurgency.

In Baghdad, hundreds of cars lined up at gas stations as word spread that Iraq's largest oil refinery shut down two weeks ago because of threats of insurgent attacks. Nearly three years after the U.S.-led invasion, a fuel crisis again threatens to cripple a country with the world's third-largest proven oil reserves.

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Extract

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U.S. Death Toll in Iraq of 841 Nears Last Year's

Violence went on unabated Friday, with at least 17 people killed in shootings, mortar attacks and a suicide car bombing in Baghdad. In the most serious incident, police said nine people were killed in a drive-by shooting -- apparently because they were drinking alcoh...

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