Sunday, November 05, 2006
Report on American War Dead
It has indeed been a bloody 31 days; as reported by the Department of Defense for the period October 4 to November 3, 2006, 113 Americans were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan--107 in Iraq and 6 in Afghanistan. Here's the breakdown.
In Afghanistan, one was killed by an IED, two by small arms, one from a non combat cause (suicide?) and two in the catchall category combat operations. Most of Afghanistan is patrolled by American troops with the south patrolled by NATO troops (some of which are American troops) so it is difficult to make any analysis of these numbers. Last year the advent of winter weather shut down fighting and that appears to be about to happen again.
In Iraq, 40 were killed by IEDs (including mines), still the most effective weapon the Jihadists and Insurgents have. 35 were killed in combat operations, mainly Marines, mainly in the western desert province (approximately 1/3 of Iraq) of al Anbar. There appears to be a real shooting war going on there and in and around Baghdad. 19 Americans were killed by small arms fire (including RPGs). Only two died in vehicle accidents (an extraordinarily low number) and five of non combat causes (which I'd lump together as suicide but for the fact one was listed as a "non combat medical cause"--that sounds like a disease to me). One was listed as the result of a non hostile cause. I admit that I don't have any idea what that could mean--loved to death, hugged to death--I'm mystified.
Not exactly Tet numbers (over 500) but not good.
In Afghanistan, one was killed by an IED, two by small arms, one from a non combat cause (suicide?) and two in the catchall category combat operations. Most of Afghanistan is patrolled by American troops with the south patrolled by NATO troops (some of which are American troops) so it is difficult to make any analysis of these numbers. Last year the advent of winter weather shut down fighting and that appears to be about to happen again.
In Iraq, 40 were killed by IEDs (including mines), still the most effective weapon the Jihadists and Insurgents have. 35 were killed in combat operations, mainly Marines, mainly in the western desert province (approximately 1/3 of Iraq) of al Anbar. There appears to be a real shooting war going on there and in and around Baghdad. 19 Americans were killed by small arms fire (including RPGs). Only two died in vehicle accidents (an extraordinarily low number) and five of non combat causes (which I'd lump together as suicide but for the fact one was listed as a "non combat medical cause"--that sounds like a disease to me). One was listed as the result of a non hostile cause. I admit that I don't have any idea what that could mean--loved to death, hugged to death--I'm mystified.
Not exactly Tet numbers (over 500) but not good.
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 8:19 AM 
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Seems like more and more small arms fire and less big accidents. No major vehicle accidents or helicopter crashes in October in Iraq.
This killing was spread out more than it has been in any of the 3 or 4 months that have over 100 U.S. casualties.
Things do indeed seem to be changing, and not for the better.
Off topic: thanks for getting back to me about the 2 state solution. I tend to agree with you. Isreal is going to have to absorb some pain in the meantime, and show restraint. But if we are counting bodies, they are still way ahead of the game.
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This killing was spread out more than it has been in any of the 3 or 4 months that have over 100 U.S. casualties.
Things do indeed seem to be changing, and not for the better.
Off topic: thanks for getting back to me about the 2 state solution. I tend to agree with you. Isreal is going to have to absorb some pain in the meantime, and show restraint. But if we are counting bodies, they are still way ahead of the game.
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