U.S. death toll in Iraq now 3,216

BAGHDAD, March 18 (UPI) -- Eight more U.S. soldiers have died fighting in Iraq and at least another five were wounded, the military said Sunday.

According to a statement released by the Multi-National Force, the latest death occurred Saturday when a Task Force Lightening member was struck by a bomb during operations in Diyala. Five other members were taken to a medical center for treatment, the Kuwait news agency KUNA said.

Seven other soldiers died and two more were wounded in fighting in Baghdad, including four killed by a bomb, raising the U.S. military death toll to 51 this month and over the past four years to 3,216, KUNA said.

Meanwhile, Iraqi and American forces detained a close aide to the chief of al-Qaida in Iraq during operations in the eastern section of Baghdad, a military official said. Brigadier Qassem Atta issued a statement Sunday that Mohammad Hamad Kamal, also known as "Abu Quitada the Palestinian," was under arrest. Kamal reportedly is a close associate of al-Qaida leader Au Ayyoub al-Masri.

Last week, security forces took into custody Ali Hussein al-Hayyali, identified as the general mufti of the al-Qaida organization in Iraq.