Secret Iraq Death Toll: 80 Mercenaries In 8 Days

April 14, 2004

Break For News

In the last 8 days, around 80 Western mercenaries have been killed, reports a veteran journalist in Iraq.

More mercenaries have died in one week than occupation forces in two weeks, writes Robert Fisk, who says the dead come from the U.S., Europe and South Africa.

Lieutenant-General Mark Kimmitt made no mention of mercenaries --many of whom are former Special Forces soldiers, when he admitted that "about 70" occupation troops had died during the Iraqi insurgency since April 1.

Fisk writes that the military command are apparently fearful that the full total of Western dead would cause "serious political fallout. Presumed remains of four more mercenaries were found near Baghdad today.

The article appeared in the South African Star on April 13, 2004. Details of the mercenary casualties were also reported by the New Zeland Herald in its April 14 edition.

The report also says that Iraqi dead across the country in April to date may be as high as 900.