Iraq Death Toll 'Lowest Since Invasion'

PLAN OF ACTION - U.S. Army Capt. Brian Sweigart discusses the best plan of action for searching an Istaqlal Qada neighborhood with an Iraqi police officer during a combined patrol northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 23, 2009, to secure the community before the upcoming provincial elections. Sweigart commands the 25th Infantry Division's Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Brad Willeford

From AFP:

BAGHDAD (AFP) — A total of 191 Iraqis were killed in violence across the country last month, the lowest toll since the US-led invasion of 2003, authorities said on Sunday.

The figures, released after an election held in 14 of the country's 18 provinces passed off without major violence on Saturday, showed that 140 civilians, 27 soldiers and 24 policemen lost their lives in January.

The death toll was 42 percent down on last month's total of 316, which had itself been the lowest figure for almost three years.

"I consider the toll is due to the efforts of the Iraqi security forces, and the support of the Iraqi people, which helped to keep down the terror," defence ministry spokesman Major General Mohammad al-Askari told AFP.

"This toll is the lowest since 2003," he said.

The latest casualty figures -- compiled by the defence, interior and health ministries -- also showed that 300 civilians, 71 soldiers and 35 police were wounded in January.

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My Comment: This is a startling number, especially when one considers the provincial and local elections that have been occurring for the past month throughout the country .... and the numerous opportunities for sectarian violence.

The trend is definitely downward .... the endgame for this war is clearly coming to an end.