Baghdad, June 22, SPA -- A U.S. soldier was killed by smallarms fire during combat operations west of Baghdad, themilitary announced Wednesday. The soldier was killed Tuesday in the city of Ramadi, saidMarine Capt. Jeffrey Pool, a spokesman. The soldier wasattached to the U.S. Army's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, whichis assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force. The military withheld the soldier's identity pendingnotification of relatives. Ramadi, an insurgent stronghold,is 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad. At least 1,725 members of the U.S. military have diedsince the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003,according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,320 diedas a result of hostile action. The figures include fivemilitary civilians.--SPA1500 Local Time 1200 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/271814