U.S. troops fought intense battles on two fronts in Iraq Tuesday, with Shi'ite rebels in Baghdad and Sunni insurgents to the west in Fallujah.
More than 30 Iraqis and two U.S. soldiers have died in fighting in Baghdad's Sadr City since Monday. A third American soldier was killed Tuesday in an attack in western Baghdad.
In Fallujah, U.S. forces launched airstrikes after coming under attack outside the city. Some Iraqi casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, the number of American military personnel killed in Iraq since the March, 2003 U.S.-led invasion reached 1,000 Tuesday.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan says those killed made "the ultimate sacrifice." He said the best way to remember them, as well as the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks, is to press ahead with the war on terror.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.