Iraq: 3 more U.S. troops killed

In a reminder that U.S. involvement in Iraq is far from over three U.S. soldiers were killed the last day of June. The soldiers were killed in a rocket attack at a base near the Iranian border.

A U.S. official blamed the attack on Shiite militia members who they claim are linked to Iran. This has been the bloodiest month for U.S. troops in Iraq in two years,

There are just six months left before the American military is scheduled to leave after more than eight years of war. However U.S. officials have been putting pressure on the Iraqi government to allow troops to stay beyond that date.

U.S. intelligence believe that the group may be lined to the Kataib Hezbollah brigades that are supported by Iran. Officials claims the weapons used were made in Iran. Three different militia groups have stepped up attacks against the U.S. in response to the demand that U.S. troops stay beyond the end of the year.

15 U.S. troops have died this month in Iraq, all but one in hostile attacks. It's the highest number of military deaths in Iraq since June 2009.

Wednesday's deaths bring to 4,469 the number of American troops who have died in Iraq.

If the Maliki government caves in to U.S. demands to allow troops to stay this may very well result in out and out civil war in Iraq and certainly the colllapse of the Maliki government. The anti U.S. al Sadr group threatens all out attacks on the U.S. military should they stay beyond the end of this year.