May Safest Month for American Soldiers Since Iraq War Began

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May Safest Month for American Soldiers Since Iraq War Began

©istockphoto.com/Craig DeBourbon

Fewer U.S. soldiers died last month in Iraq, making May the least deadly month in four years. Some credit the early May ceasefire agreement in Sadr City for the drop in fatalities. Others worry the insurgents are regrouping.

SAFE SURGE? Nineteen U.S. soldiers died last month, making May the least deadly month for Americans in Iraq since the war began in 2003. About 530 Iraqi civilians died—less than half the number of casualties reported in March and April.

by Laura Major
Informify Staff Writer
June 2, 2008

Some say the decline in casualties proves the U.S. troop surge that began in January 2007 is working as President Bush intended. Others say it could mean that the insurgents are just lying low for the moment to regroup.

What Do the Numbers Say about Surge Success?

In January 2007, President Bush announced a troop surge of nearly 30,000 additional troops. In February 2007, Gen. David Petraeus took command of U.S. armed forces in Iraq.

Here's a list of American casualties by month since the troop surge, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count:

Month		# Soldiers Killed
February 2007		81 (surge troops begin to arrive)
March 2007		81
April 2007		104
May 2007		126
June 2007		101 (final surge troops arrive)
July 2007		79
August 2007		84
September 2007		65 (insurgency falters)
October 2007		38
November 2007		37
December 2007		23
January 2008		40
February 2008		29
March 2008		39
April 2008		52
May 2008		19

Since the United States invaded Iraq on March 19, 2003:

4,084 American soldiers died
29,978 American soldiers wounded

Other Reasons for Fewer Iraq Casualties

Cyclical Violence Among Insurgents

Since the United States invaded Iraq five years ago, casualty statistics show dramatic up and down trends.

For instance, when insurgents began their offensive in 2006, casualties soared among the military but especially among civilians. Insurgency violence increases during Ramadan, a Muslim holy period of fasting.

Ceasefire and Operation Lion's Roar

Some obvious successes led to a decrease in fatalities, not only among U.S. troops, but also Iraqi civilians:

In early May the Mehdi Army agreed to end its attacks on Iraqi and U.S. soldiers in Sadr City and Basra. Since the truce, those areas have been quiet.
In the May 10 Operation Lion's Roar, Iraqi troops backed up by U.S. tank cordons cut in half the number of hostile attacks.

The drop in violence could also be because insurgent leaders are slipping out of the city—perhaps to try again.

Question for Readers:

Do you think May's lower death rate among U.S. soldiers in Iraq is a sign of a successful strategy?

Twenty-four countries have troops in Iraq as part of the coalition. They range from 4,000 British soldiers to one Singaporean soldier.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd fulfilled his campaign promise yesterday and began withdrawing Australian soldiers stationed in Iraq. The rest of the 550 troops should arrive home by the end of this month. Australia's involvement in the war included:

Supporting the United States with troops since the 2003 invasion
Training Iraqi security forces
Backing up Iraqi security forces in Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces
Providing reconstruction and aid assistance

Although the Australians withdrew, they plan to:

Keep several hundred troops in Iraq to guard diplomats and act as security and headquarters liaisons
Leave behind two surveillance aircrafts and one warship for patrolling Gulf oil platforms
Provide $140 million in aid and reconstruction funds
Support the effort in Afghanistan with about 1,000 troops

No Australian soldier died in combat while serving in Iraq. "Our soldiers have worked tirelessly to ensure that local people in southern Iraq have the best possible chance to move on from their suffering under Saddam's regime," said Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, "and as a government we are extremely proud of their service."

(Associated Press, 6/1/08)

Last Thursday, the U.S. Army reported that soldier suicides rose in 2007. At least 115 soldiers committed suicide, compared to 102 in 2006. There were 935 suicide attempts.

The Army's study found a significant relationship with length of time served in combat and suicide attempts. The Bush administration is also aware of the problem. Secretary of State Robert Gates said, "We have no higher priority in the Department of Defense, apart from the war itself, than taking care of our men and women in uniform who have been wounded-who have both visible and unseen wounds." (McClatchy, 5/29/08)