In War, There Are No Good Months

News agencies report that deaths to both troops and civilians fell in Iraq last month to the lowest level since July of 2006. As a person who works with statistics it is important to say, one month does not a trend make. However, fewer deaths are good news for the families of soldiers and Iraqis alike..

The BBC reports

Figures show reduction of violence, but it is unclear how long it will last
The number of Iraqi civilians killed per month in bombings and shootings has fallen to the lowest level this year, the Iraqi government says.

In September, 884 civilians were killed by violence, less than half the figure for August, the government said.

The BBC's Jon Brain in Baghdad says the figures suggest the so-called surge involving 30,000 extra US troops is having some success.

September also saw the lowest number of US troops killed for more than a year.

SEPTEMBER TOLL
884 civilian deaths
78 Iraqi soldiers and police killed
62 US military deaths
Source: Iraqi government

Iraq violence in figures

However, our correspondent says, the political situation remains deadlocked and there are fears that when the extra troops are withdrawn the violence will escalate again.

The NY Times reports

According to a CNN count, there have been 4,101 coalition deaths in Iraq -- 3,801 Americans, two Australians, 170 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvians, 21 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of Friday. At least 28,009 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.

There have been 692 coalition deaths in Afghanistan -- 441 Americans, one Australian, 81 Britons, 70 Canadians, one Czech, four Danes, 10 Dutch, two Estonians, one Finn, 11 French, 25 Germans, nine Italians, two Norwegians, one Pole, one Portuguese, four Romanians, one South Korean, 23 Spaniards, two Swedes -- in the war on terror, also as of Friday. The troops died in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or were part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. At least 1,607 U.S. personnel have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.