A 20-year-old Santa Ana Pueblo man has been killed in Iraq, the 26th New Mexican to die there since the war began in March 2003.

According to the Marine Corps, Lance Cpl. Emilian D. Sanchez was killed Sunday during combat operations in Anbar province, a Sunni stronghold where American forces have faced continuing attacks.

Twenty-eight Americans were killed in action in Iraq during the weekend.

Gunnery Sgt. William Amass, a Marine spokesman, said specifics about Sanchez's death were not yet available.

Sanchez was assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable, and had been in the Marine Corps since July 2005, Amass said.

His unit, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., arrived in Anbar province in late November.

Pictures on the unit's Web site show Marines conducting security patrols in Ramadi, and handing out soccer balls, school supplies and kerosene heaters to villagers.

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim MacMahon and kicker Kevin Butler visited the unit Dec. 29, as did an actress from the TV show "JAG" and a CBS weatherman, the Web site states.

Sanchez's body had not arrived in the United States as of Tuesday, and funeral services have yet to be announced.

Sanchez was honored during Veterans Day ceremonies at the state Capitol on Tuesday, when Gov. Bill Richardson criticized the Bush administration's Iraq policy.

"It just hits home, because these are New Mexico's kids, men and women, . . . and it keeps happening," Richardson said, according to the Associated Press. "And somehow there's a disconnect between this war and what the American people and New Mexicans want."