Among those killed, 66 died in combat and another 15 were killed in accidents including two killed in a grenade attack by a US GI, said Lieutenant Colonel Rivers Johnson, a spokesman.

In addition, the Pentagon reported seven prisoners of war.

Eight US troops have been reported missing, a category which often means it has not been determined definitively whether they were killed or have been taken porisoners of war.

The number of injured has risen to 155, the Pentagon said.

SPACE.WIRE