US monthly toll in Iraq at lowest since invasion

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Eleven US soldiers were killed in Iraq in July, the lowest monthly toll since the 2003 invasion, according Pentagon figures, highlighting what US commanders say is a marked drop in overall violence.

The number compares with the deadliest month of November 2004 when 137 American troops were slain, an independent toll by icasualties.org showed. The previous low was in May this year when 19 soldiers were killed.

Since the US-led invasion of March 2003 that toppled now executed dictator Saddam Hussein, a total of 4,125 US troops have been killed in Iraq, according icasualties.org.

The downward trend in violence began in the middle of last year after a US "surge" in troops, althoug there were two spikes in bloodshed in March and April during...