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Lowest US monthly deaths in Iraq | Lowest US monthly deaths in Iraq |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The US military has announced the death of a soldier in northern Iraq, which brings the toll for July to 12, the lowest since the 2003 US invasion. | The US military has announced the death of a soldier in northern Iraq, which brings the toll for July to 12, the lowest since the 2003 US invasion. |
"A US soldier died in a non-combat related incident while conducting operations in Nineveh province July 31," a military statement said. | "A US soldier died in a non-combat related incident while conducting operations in Nineveh province July 31," a military statement said. |
More than 4,000 US troops have been killed in Iraq, with the monthly toll occasionally exceeding 120 deaths. | More than 4,000 US troops have been killed in Iraq, with the monthly toll occasionally exceeding 120 deaths. |
Iraqi forces have been taking greater security responsibility recently. | Iraqi forces have been taking greater security responsibility recently. |
A breakdown of the July deaths shows that only five of the troops died in hostile incidents. | A breakdown of the July deaths shows that only five of the troops died in hostile incidents. |
Three were described as non-combat or non-hostile incidents, there was one fatal "vehicle incident" and one died of natural causes. | Three were described as non-combat or non-hostile incidents, there was one fatal "vehicle incident" and one died of natural causes. |
The toll also includes two soldiers whose bodies were found on 10 July after they went missing following an ambush south of Baghdad in May 2007. | The toll also includes two soldiers whose bodies were found on 10 July after they went missing following an ambush south of Baghdad in May 2007. |
Recent reports say Iraqis have also been dying at a much lower rate than previous months. | Recent reports say Iraqis have also been dying at a much lower rate than previous months. |
A tally by AP news agency said at least 510 Iraqis were killed in July, including civilians and security force members, a 75% drop from the 2,021 deaths recorded by the same method in July 2007. | A tally by AP news agency said at least 510 Iraqis were killed in July, including civilians and security force members, a 75% drop from the 2,021 deaths recorded by the same method in July 2007. |
The reduction in deaths comes in the wake of a US security clampdown, ceasefires by Shia Muslim militias and a popular movement among Sunni Muslims to expel Islamist extremists from their midst. | The reduction in deaths comes in the wake of a US security clampdown, ceasefires by Shia Muslim militias and a popular movement among Sunni Muslims to expel Islamist extremists from their midst. |
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