Iraqi troops suffer fatalities nearly twice U.S. rate
By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
October 4, 2005
The emerging Iraqi Security Forces have suffered nearly twice the battlefield deaths of American troops, a casualty toll that has convinced U.S. commanders they are building units willing to fight for democracy.
According to figures compiled for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the ISF has recorded 2,603 killed in action, or KIAs, as of last week. That compares with a KIA figure of 1,506 for U.S. troops since the March 2003 invasion to topple dictator Saddam Hussein. The KIA number does not include what the Pentagon calls nonhostile deaths, such as occur in accidents.
A Pentagon official said the higher Iraqi KIA number is even more significant given the fact the Iraqi Security Forces, which are made up primarily of the army and police, was in its infancy stages in 2004 and had fewer troops carrying out operations and coming in direct contact with enemy insurgents.
U.S. commanders say the growing KIA number is proof that Iraqis are willing to die to create a democracy and rid the country of insurgents loyal to Saddam and terrorists led by Jordanian-born Abu Musab Zarqawi. Commanders say the 194,000-member ISF is increasingly in harm's way as troops take part in major battles, such as the one to capture the northwest town of Tal Afar. ...
washtimes.com
That's a gnat's hair short of the only good Iraqi is a dead Iraqi [fighting for democracy]
He might have also added that these good/dead Iraqis are pretty worthless now....but they won't be drawing a salary. So that's good news.
This is the strangest war I've ever seen ... the more of our side that dies the better it is.
jttmab |
