Death up for Civilians in Iraq
I am thankful U.S. troops deaths are down, but if civilian deaths are up in Iraq, how can that be a good sign?
USATODAY(AP) — American military deaths for July rose to 76 on Wednesday with the report of three U.S. soldiers killed by a powerful roadside bomb in Baghad, but the toll was still the lowest in eight months as the U.S. said it was gaining control of former militant strongholds.
By contrast, July was the second-deadliest month for Iraqis so far this year, according to an Associated Press tally.
U.S. military officials, while saying they were heartened by the downturn in American deaths, cautioned it was too early to predict a sustained trend.
“We had said over the summer it’s going to get harder before it gets easier,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a military spokesman in Baghdad. “We’re hoping that we’re in the easier part, but we still obviously have a long way to go.”
Iraqi deaths rose, with at least 2,024 civilians, government officials and security forces killed in July, about 23% more than the 1,640 who died violently in June, according to AP figures compiled from police reports nationwide. That made July the second-deadliest month for Iraqis so far this year; at least 2,155 Iraqis were killed in May.
FYI
Sunni Bloc Quits Iraq Government; Attacks Kill 67 in Baghdad
FOX-Iraq’s largest Sunni Arab political bloc announced its withdrawal from the government Wednesday, undermining Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s efforts to seek reconciliation among the country’s rival factions.
Violence continued unabated, with 50 people killed and 60 wounded when a homicide attacker exploded a fuel truck near a gas station in western Baghdad. Another 17 died in a separate car bomb attack in a central region of the capital. The U.S. military announced the deaths of three American soldiers killed by a sophisticated, armor-piercing bomb.
Rafaa al-Issawi, a leading member of the Front, said at a news conference in the capital that the bloc’s six Cabinet ministers would submit their resignations later in the day.
Al-Issawi said the decision to pull out from the government followed what he called al-Maliki’s failure to respond to a set of demands put forward by the Accordance Front last week, when it gave the prime minister seven days to meet its demands. The ultimatum expired Wednesday.
Among the demands: a pardon for security detainees not charged with specific crimes, the disbanding of militias and the participation of all groups represented in the government in dealing with security issues.
Pulease!
It’s way to early in the surge for any kind of meaningful analysis. I think Fox is simply toeing the democratic defeatist line. Typical.
I’m confident the surge will bring the Sunnis back to the government, and stop Iraqis from killing eachother. Just give it some time.
Mr Konop,
If I read you correctly, when people are being slaughtered in an incompetently managed and totally unnecessary war of aggression against another sovereign nation, that’s bad regardless of who they are.
But, when it comes to jobs, only Americans count, and the rest of the world can go to hell.
Did I read you correctly?
David
That was from the Politico! And as you know I have been supportive of homosexuals having legal rights via civil unions.
The problem is we are lowering the bar not raising it for most. The spread between rich and poor is growing due to the blind eye attitude toward exploitation. As you know that is why Adam Smith was an abolitionist and was so big on workers rights to negotiate and the rule of justice.
We cannot guarantee any success but all most have an opportunity in society with justice.
Like Iraq I do not think you can force people to change. One most be realistic and structure negotiations not to foster exploitation.