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May Iraq Death Toll Lowest in 4 Years

Posted Jun 1, 08 8:05 AM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – The death toll in Iraq plunged in May, with 21 US military dead the lowest monthly figure in more than 4 years. Iraqi civilians and troopers also saw a decline, with 532 deaths in May, compared with 1,080 the month before. But in the absence of lasting political agreements, many fear this signals a breathing spell in violence rather than the start of a longer trend.

Despite a May 11 truce that staunched weeks of bloody fighting in Baghdad, tensions remain high, the AP reports. Earlier this week, talks broke down again over returning Sunnis to the government. Still, Iraqi troops have taken the lead in three recent offensives against al-Qaeda and by July all five of the U.S. “surge brigades” rushed to Iraq should be back home, officials say.

Source Associated Press

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The "troop surges" that entered Iraq to help broker peace should be home by July, U.S. officials say.   (Getty Images)
At least 21 U.S. military troopers were killed in May, the second-lowest month in the history of the Iraq war.   (Getty Images)
Staff Sgt. Roy Kennedy stands vigil over the casket of Capt. Russell Rippetoe at Arlington National Cemetery. Rippetoe was killed in Iraq.   (KRT Photos)
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Iraq  • military  • troop surge  • Iraq exit strategy  • al-Qaeda in Iraq  • death toll  • Iraq death toll  • Iraq violence  • military presence


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