May 08 Death Toll In Iraq Hits Wartime Low

It seems that things may be looking up in Iraq in terms of casualties for U.S. servicemen fighting there. They are far less likely these days to be killed in the war than in previous months. In May of 2008 the number of U.S. war dead reached an all time low of 19. At the height of the fighting the U.S. was suffering closer to 140 dead a month. On average we have suffered at or about 100 a month during the conflict. The reduction in casualties has been attributed to a couple of developments that have proven to be positive for the U.S. cause there. The biggest is the cease fire that was negotiated between the U.S. and The Madi Army which is under the control of Muqtada-Al Sadr who's forces are concentrated mainly in Sadr City but have been involved in fighting in various other parts of the country. The other is the increased role that the Iraqi's are taking in combat operations all around Iraq. Fewer and fewer American soldiers are involved in direct combat and the burden is being shifted to the Iraqi Army. Everyone at the Pentagon is keeping their fingers crossed that these developments continue into the future.