NationStates Jolt Archive


Coalition Combat Deaths Falling In Iraq?

Eutrusca
22-02-2005, 19:49
Coalition Combat Deaths Falling In Iraq
Philadelphia Inquirer - Free Registration Required ( FEB. 22)

The number of coalition military forces killed by hostile actions has declined significantly since Iraq's Jan. 30 elections, according to military officials. As of yesterday, the 28 coalition forces killed from hostile fire or roadside bombs in February represented the lowest fatality rate since last March, according to iCasualties.org. The daily average of 1.33 soldiers killed in hostile actions after the elections compares with 2.42 during the previous 10 months, based on Inquirer calculations. Officials say Iraqi insurgents seem to be targeting Iraqi armed forces and civilians with greater frequency. They also say American soldiers are benefiting from improved intelligence since the election, they are getting more tips from Iraqis. "Our commanders in the field are telling us that they have seen some level of attitude change within the country, all very positive," Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, the deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command, told reporters at the Pentagon recently.