Sharp Decline in U.S. Military, Iraqi Civilian Deaths

This underreported story is from FoxNews:

The number of Iraqi civilian deaths last month fell by more than 50 percent, while 64 American forces died, the lowest monthly toll since July 2006, according to figures compiled by the U.S. military, the Iraqi government and The Associated Press.

The sharp decline in death tolls signaled a U.S. success, if only temporary, in bringing down violence in Baghdad and surrounding regions since Washington completed its infusion of 30,000 more troops on June 15.

The figures for Iraqi civilian deaths were dramatic, falling from 1,975 in August to 922 last month, a decline of 53.3 percent. The breakdown in September was 844 civilians and 78 police and Iraqi soldiers, according to Iraq's ministries of Health, Interior and Defense.

What's so amazing about this story, is the decline occurred while the Surge was underway. I thought major combat operations would lead to increased casualties!

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