US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has ordered an investigation into alleged sexual assaults involving US forces serving in Iraq and Kuwait.
"Sexual assault will not be tolerated in the Department of Defense," a memo released by the Pentagon said.
The cases involve serving personnel allegedly assaulting one another.
In the past year, 88 cases of "sexual misconduct" were reported among US military personnel in Iraq, Kuwait and other countries in the region.
The Pentagon did not give any details, but said the offences might include rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and sodomy.
"Commanders at every level have a duty to take appropriate steps to prevent sexual assaults, protect victims and hold those who commit offences accountable," the statement said.
It said 80 of the cases involved the army, seven involved the air force, and one concerned the marines.
Earlier, a US newspaper quoted officials at a US-based organisation supporting victims of abuse as saying 37 women had claimed they were assaulted by fellow military personnel in Iraq or Kuwait.
Mr Rumsfeld gave the Pentagon 90 days to investigate the claims and report its findings and recommendations.
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