U.S. Casualties: Down in Anbar, Up in Baghdad
Analysis from USATODAY.
Quote:
U.S. combat deaths in Baghdad have risen steadily since February, when the U.S. military launched an initiative to secure the capital, Pentagon records show. Meanwhile, a hotbed of the Iraqi insurgency has become significantly safer for U.S. troops.
This month, 56% of U.S. combat deaths within Iraq have occurred in Baghdad, up from 27% in February. Combat deaths in the capital last exceeded 50% in July 2005.
U.S. commanders have cautioned that they expect a spike in casualties in Baghdad. Troop levels are to increase there by 17,000 by early summer. Many troops have left the relative safety of fortified bases and are manning checkpoints and conducting house-to-house searches.
The security plan, launched Feb. 14, seeks to reduce violence, so the Iraqi government can seek a longer-term solution to Iraq's troubles.
Overall, U.S. combat casualties in Iraq have remained relatively flat since the start of the security crackdown in Baghdad. There were 156 U.S. troops killed in combat from Feb. 14 to April 14. That compares with 151 U.S. combat casualties from Dec. 16 to Feb. 13.
Combat fatalities among U.S. troops in Anbar province, the heart of the Sunni insurgency, have dropped dramatically this year.
This month, combat deaths in Anbar made up 12% of the U.S. combat fatalities in Iraq. In February, they were 45%.
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In Anbar, more Iraqis are joining the security forces to oppose insurgents, said Marine Brig Gen. John Allen, deputy commander of coalition forces. In September 2006, there were about 6,500 police officers. Today, according to the U.S. military, there are more than 10,500. "Those are the numbers you need to win a counterinsurgency," Allen said ...
