Iraqi Civilian Deaths Down Fifty Percent
BAGHDAD (AP) - Deaths among American forces and Iraqi civilians fell dramatically last month to their lowest levels in more than a year, according to figures compiled by the U.S. military, the Iraqi government and The Associated Press.
The decline signaled a U.S. success in bringing down violence in Baghdad and surrounding regions since Washington completed its infusion of 30,000 more troops on June 15.
A total of 64 American forces died in September—the lowest monthly toll since July 2006.
The decline in Iraqi civilian deaths was even more dramatic, falling from 1,975 in August to 922 last month, a decline of 53.3 percent. The breakdown in September was 844 civilians and 78 police and Iraqi soldiers, according to Iraq’s ministries of Health, Interior and Defense.
In August, AP figures showed 1,809 civilians and 155 police and Iraqi soldiers were killed in sectarian violence.
The civilian death toll has not been so low since June 2006, when 847 Iraqis died.
“There is no silver bullet or one thing that equates as a reason to the drop in Iraqi and Coalition casualties and deaths,” said Col. Steven Boylan, spokesman for U.S. commander Gen. David Petraeus.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Damn, I read earlier that those numbers were at 71. If it’s 64, that means only about 50 were a direct result of combat.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:26 amThat’s fucking awesome. Contrast that with the 500+ deaths we incurred a week during the height of the VN conflict and this is fabulous news. Oh and where is the LLLMSM? Oh that’s right Komrade Soros won’t allow his minions to report any good news comming out of Iraq.
Still 2 of our guys a day. It’s sad every time any of those fine young guys die. And it’s a damn shame they aren’t honored by our media for the heroes they are.
Great progress, looks like the surge is paying off. Hope the trend continues as the surge winds down.
October 1st, 2007 at 12:21 pmUnfortunately to some “Americans” this will “really require the willing suspension of disbelief”.
October 1st, 2007 at 1:24 pm