Over the weekend (Friday through Sunday), five soldiers died in Iraq. Two died of gunshot wounds, but three died either of heat stress, or while sleeping. The temperature in Iraq has been as high as 119 fahrenheit. The temperature drops to a cool 84 fahrenheit at night.

Heat is also causing tensions to rise. Residents of Basra rioted over the weekend to protest fuel shortages. The British were forced to import fuel into Basra by ship. Continuing sabotage, looting and shortages of electricity are being blamed for the lack of adequate supplies of kerosene and gasoline. This situation has continued since the end April. Apparently, Iraqis are fed up with the situation and temperatures approaching 125 fahrenheit have increased the tension.

August 11, 2003
TIKRIT, Iraq – One 4th Infantry Division soldier was killed and two were wounded in an improvised explosive attack near the Ba’qubah police station Aug. 10 at approximately 9:45 p.m. The soldiers were evacuated to the 21st Combat Support Hospital for treatment where one soldier subsequently died of wounds received.

August 10, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 3rd Corps Support Command soldier died from apparent heat stress on Aug. 9, while riding in a convoy north of Ad Diwaniyah. The soldier was evacuated to a nearby medical facility, where he was pronounced dead. The incident is under investigation.

BAGHDAD, Iraq– A soldier with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was found dead in troop living quarters at approximately 5:00 pm. Aug. 9. The soldier was taken to the unit medical facilities, but could not be resuscitated.

August 8, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq – An 82nd Airborne Division soldier died of a gunshot wound at approximately 9:45 pm on Aug. 7 while on guard duty in the Al Mansor District of Baghdad. The soldier was transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment and subsequently died from wounds received. The incident is under investigation.

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 4th Infantry Division soldier died while sleeping at a base camp in the town of Kirkush on Aug. 8. The incident is under investigation.