U.S. troop deaths up after drop in July

[rodeodance]

Source: ap

U.S. troop deaths up after drop in July

By SALLY BUZBEE, Associated Press Writer Tue Aug 7, 4:21 PM ET

BAGHDAD - Four more U.S. troops and a British soldier have died in attacks, military officials said Tuesday, in a possible sign that extremists are regrouping after a drop in American deaths last month.


The spate of recent U.S. deaths — 19 so far in August — seems certain to intensify the debate over U.S. progress to calm Iraq and gain ground against militants ahead of a key September report to Congress.

U.S. deaths had dropped slightly in July to 79 — the lowest monthly tally since 70 were killed in November. Before July, more than 100 American forces died each month in the April-to-June period as the U.S. military struck out at insurgents on dangerous streets and cities across Iraq.

But U.S. commanders say rogue Shiite militias have stepped into the gap left as Sunni insurgents have been pushed back, and are now responsible for most attacks on Americans in Baghdad and surrounding districts. Such a trend would elevate fears that Iraqi forces are not yet able to maintain security even when insurgents are beaten back. Large numbers of Iraqi police are believed also to hold allegiances to Shiite militia groups.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070807/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=AjYd1VeOdhyVlqX_QMxccxmbOrgF

[MadMaddie]

1. I heard it was 24....it is only the 7th of August....

4 from Washington state. This is going to be a very bad month......

[RamboLiberal]

5. CBS says it's 26 - which is about 4 a day

Which is a high average.

The U.S. military tells CBSNews.com that 26 American service members have been killed in action in Iraq in the past week alone, including three soldiers who were killed by a single roadside bomb attack reported Tuesday.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/07/iraq/main3140063.shtml

[saigon68]

2. "Bring em on" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE

They'll just say the increase is because the Resistance forces are out to screw up General Limp Dick's Rose Petal Report due out in 21 days.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

3. I read 22

What do we know about this organization?http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_casualties.htm

[SleeplessinSoCal]

6. 86 u.s. deaths in July according to:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_casualties.htm

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. The Fat OxyBoy was boasting about the decrease last month.

But he'll be tight-lipped if the numbers go up this month.