A US occupation soldier was killed in central Iraq, the second casualty in the war-torn country since Washington announced its forces would depart by year’s end.

A US occupation soldier was killed in central Iraq, the second casualty in the war-torn country since Washington announced its forces would depart by year's end.

A US service member was killed Monday while conducting operations in central Iraq," the military said in an emailed statement.
"It was a hostile incident," a spokesman for United States Forces - Iraq told AFP by email, without providing further details.

Another American service member was killed on November 3 in an attack in Kirkuk in north Iraq.

President Barack Obama announced on October 21 that US forces would leave by the end of this year.