Pentagon says US military deaths in Iraq hit 2,500

WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) The number of U.S. military deaths in the Iraq war has reached 2,500, the Pentagon said today, more than three years into a conflict that finds U.S. and allied foreign forces locked in a struggle with a resilient insurgency.

In addition, the Pentagon said 18,490 U.S. troops have been wounded in the war, which began in March 2003 with a U.S.-led invasion to topple President Saddam Hussein.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed.

REUTERS CH KP1816