Sharp Fall in U.S. Troop Casualties in Iraq

The number of U.S. Troops killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom Has dropped sharply in the Month of July. The total is likely to be the lowest since the start of the war according to figures from the Pentagon. 13 U.S. soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice this month, as opposed to 80 at the same time last year.

Seeking to build on those gains tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers and police launched a major operation against the Al Qaeda in the northeastern province of Diyala on Tuesday. Al Qaeda has been stoking the tensions in Diyala because it is the last stronghold they have near Baghdad. A witness said that forces had been deployed throughout the provincial capital of Baquba. Security forces implemented a vehicle curfew and searched homes for weapons and wanted militants.

The U.S. toll is down from 23 in May, and 15 in June according to the data on casualties.org.

As we enter fall the Iraqi forces have taken the lead in most major security operations. The U.S. Military has, this month also withdrawn the last five remaining extra combat brigades that were sent to Iraq last year.

It is nice to know that we are accomplishing what we set out to do in Iraq.