U.S. denies signs of deadly November (Reuters)

[WillyT]

<snip>

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The top military commander in Iraq says attacks against U.S. forces have fallen sharply in recent weeks, despite
figures showing November to be the deadliest month for U.S. troops since the war began.

Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez said anti-American insurgents had struck fewer times in the past seven days than in the previous
week and put the reduction down to the more aggressive tactics used by U.S. forces. He also said the military was in the process of reshaping its forces in Iraq to rotate in more mobile units and ship out heavy armour such as tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.

"In the past 14 days, we have seen the daily average of engagements throughout the country decline by over 30 percent," Sanchez told a
news conference in Baghdad. "And over the last seven-day period, we're down to an average of 22 engagements a day," he said, against as many as 50 a day just a couple of weeks ago. "This decline has been most significant where we have taken the fight to the enemy."

Despite the decline, however, figures from U.S. military officials show at least 72 U.S. soldiers died in action in November, according to a count by Reuters.

<snip>

Link: http://www.swisspolitics.org/en/news/index.php?section=int&page=news_inhalt&news_id=4501483

Wow, I didn't know they had classes in 'Spin' at West Point!!!

:wow:

[wtmusic]

1. Only 72? Y'know, it coulda been a hunnert!

:eyes:

[liberalmuse]

2. Fewer attacks, maybe...

but much more deadly. IMO, this isn't a good thing. It means the resistance to the occupation is becoming more careful, organized and focused.

[truthisfreedom]

3. sure. you scare them, and they get more careful and attack with more

efficiency because they take more time to plan. makes sense.

we may learn some lessons about how to fight guerillas this time around, because we have to win this thing and we have to win it quickly.

[VolcanoJen]

4. Dupe... locking

Please continue discussion within the original LBN thread on this topic, which can be found here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=244830

WillyT, your link to the Reuters/SwissPolitics.org link would be helpful within the original thread.

Thanks!
VolcanoJen
DU Moderator

[fizzana]

5. The recent counter-attacks by the U.S. have probably reduced

the number of attacks but all it means are that the guerillas are lying low and waiting for their opportunities.

I'm sure we'll see another spike in attacks soon.