WASHINGTON, April 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. military deaths in Iraq increased sharply in April after dropping to the lowest level in two years last month, USA Today reported on Monday.

    The increase was fueled largely by fighting in the volatile Anbar province, west of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the report said.

    In the first half of April, 48 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq, while March witnessed 30 deaths, the lowest monthly figure since February 2004.

    Of the 48 deaths reported, at least 26 cases occurred in Anbar,which the U.S. military struggled to bring under control. However,the Pentagon hailed the fact that the insurgency appeared to have been confined to a region covering Anbar, Baghdad and neighboring area.

    The death toll increase comes as Iraqi politicians struggle to create a government following December's elections. Enditem