MOSUL, Iraq — An American soldier was shot dead while on patrol in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, the U.S. military said yesterday

The soldier from Task Force Olympia, which includes the Fort Lewis-based Stryker Brigade, was killed by small-arms fire Saturday in the city's eastern sector.

There have been daily clashes between U.S. forces and insurgents in the city in recent weeks. The military has increased troop strength in the area and has launched frequent overnight-arrest raids to try to rein in insurgents before Sunday's general assembly election in Iraq.

The death brought to at least 1,372 the number of U.S. service members who have died since the United States invaded Iraq in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,077 died as a result of hostile action.