5 GIs killed; 2007 deadliest year in Iraq

5 GIs killed; 2007 deadliest year in Iraq
By Steven R. Hurst - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 6, 2007 19:28:28 EST

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military announced six new deaths Tuesday, including five soldiers killed in improvised explosive device attacks, making 2007 the bloodiest year for American troops in Iraq despite a recent decline in casualties and a sharp drop in roadside bombings that Washington links to Iran.

With nearly two months left in the year, the annual toll is now 853 — three more than the previous worst of 850 in 2004.

But the grim milestone comes as the Pentagon points toward other encouraging signs as well — growing security in Baghdad and other former militant strongholds that could help consolidate the gains against extremists.

A senior Navy officer, meanwhile, announced the planned release of nine Iranian prisoners and was at pains to say that a major cache of Iranian-made weapons and bombs displayed for reporters Tuesday appeared to have been shipped into Iraq before Tehran made a vow to stop the flow of armaments.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said last week that Iran had made such assurances to the Iraqi government. He did not reveal when the pledge was issued.

A decline in Iranian weapons deliveries could be one of several factors for the decrease in both Iraqi and American deaths over the past two months.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_5soldiers_071106/