More Time in Iraq Equals More Deaths: U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,645

"I believe it's in the interests of this country, for our own security, for the United States Congress to fully support General Petraeus in his mission and to give him time to come back and report to the United States Congress the progress that he's making." --Bush today, speaking before the American Legislative Exchange Council


Thu, Jul. 26, 2007

U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,645

As of Thursday, July 26, 2007, at least 3,645 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,990 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

The AP count is eight more than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT.

The British military has reported 163 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia, three; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, South Korea, one death each.

The latest deaths reported by the military:

- A soldier was killed Tuesday by a roadside bomb in Baghdad.

- A soldier was killed Wednesday during a gunbattle in southern Baghdad.

http://www.thestate.com/372/story/129925.html

Fri, Jul. 27, 2007
Associated Press

BAGHDAD — The top U.S. general and diplomat in Iraq warned Thursday against cutting short the American troop buildup and suggested they would urge Congress in September to give President Bush’s strategy more time.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus, in separate interviews, avoided setting out a time frame for the counterinsurgency strategy. But Petraeus indicated that he would like to see a substantial U.S. combat force remain well into 2008 and perhaps beyond.

Meanwhile Thursday, a car bomb exploded near a market in a predominantly Shiite area of Baghdad, killing at least 25 people and wounding 74, police said. The U.S. military said five American troops had died in fighting this week near the capital.


http://www.thestate.com/nation/story/129858.html

Thu Jul 26, 6:35 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A team of six Republican congressmen on Thursday said they saw signs of progress during a recent trip to Iraq and urged the US public to give the troop "surge" strategy more time to take effect.

Texas Representative John Carter said he spoke with commanders and soldiers who said they "feel like they are being successful in the fight ... because we are winning the people and the people are now helping us."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070726/pl_afp/usiraqpolitics_070726223514