Tuesday was a deadly day for American troops in Iraq.

Two separate attacks Monday claimed the lives of eight soldiers.

This was the highest toll in a single day since September.

Witnesses said a suicide bomber approached the troops, who were on patrol outside a local shop, and without warning, the attacker detonated his explosives.

Still, casualties have been down the last few months.

The military said attacks have dropped 75 percent and the 29 troop fatalities in February were the second-lowest total in four years.