20 Suspected Rebels Killed in Raids Near Syria Border

BAGHDAD — U.S. troops and warplanes killed 20 suspected insurgents Saturday while destroying houses near the Syrian border, the military said. Elsewhere, four service members were reported killed, pushing the U.S. military death toll to 1,996.

U.S. forces found weapons and ammunition in the raids in Husaybah, the military said. Troops set off a car bomb found near one building, and the Air Force bombed the houses.

No U.S. forces were reported slain in Saturday’s operation, but the military said four service personnel died in recent days.

On Friday, a Marine was killed in an explosion near the western town of Haqlaniya, and two others were slain in an explosion near Amiriya, the military said. And a U.S. soldier died in Baghdad on Thursday of a “nonhostile” gunshot.

Seven Iraqis, including two civilians, were reported killed Saturday in bombings and drive-by shootings.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Sunday Telegraph reported results of a secret poll, commissioned by British officials, on violence in Iraq.

The survey found that 45% of Iraqis believed attacks on U.S. and British troops were justified, and less than 1% believed the forces were improving security.