U.S. death toll in Iraq for July hit 8-month low

[RamboLiberal]

Source: MSNBC/AP

The U.S. military said Tuesday that a Marine was killed in fighting west of the capital, bringing the American death toll for July to at least 73 — still the lowest in eight months.

An Apache helicopter also went down Tuesday after coming under fire in a predominantly Shiite area in eastern Baghdad, but both crew members were safely evacuated, the military said.

President Bush’s nominee to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meanwhile, acknowledged that slow progress in Iraq is hurting America’s credibility and emboldening Iran’s regional ambitions.

While steady progress has been made on the military front, Iraq’s political factions have made only limited headway in achieving reconciliation, said Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, who has been nominated to replace U.S. Gen. Peter Pace as the nation’s top military officer.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20049657/

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Don't know why - maybe it's just too damn hot even for insurgents, but death toll is always lower in July.

July 06 - 43
July 05 - 54
July 04 - 54
July 03 - 48

So 73 is still damn high!