Iraq 2008

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2009 – The number of U.S. military fatalities in Iraq in 2008 fell two-thirds compared to the previous year, underscoring an improvement in security amid upcoming provincial elections.

Last year's casualty figure -- 314 -- marks a sharp reduction from 2007 when 904 troops died. The 2008 tally comes on the heels of a week in which the number of daily attacks in Iraq dropped nearly 95 percent compared to the same time last year.

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, DC - President George W. Bush and other senior U.S. officials hailed the new U.S.-Iraq security pact that was approved by Iraqi lawmakers in Baghdad on Thursday, November 27, 2008.

By Army Sgt. Zach Mott
American Forces Press Service

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR EAGLE, IRAQ – Reconstruction in Iraq means more than fixing broken walls and stocking store shelves. It means securing a future where Iraqis can sustain themselves, a provincial reconstruction team leader said.

By Kristen Noel
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, DC – Despite transitioning Anbar province to Iraqi control last month, it's still too soon for U.S. troops to withdraw from the region, the commander of Multinational Force West said last week.

"We certainly do provide a sense of security for the locals here in Anbar, as they work things out amongst themselves in the province," U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. John Kelly said in an Oct. 10 teleconference with bloggers and online journalists.

By Army 2nd Lt. Gordon Bostick
Special to American Forces Press Service

JAMILLA, IRAQ – Iraqi children in Baghdad's Sadr City district are preparing to start the school year in safer, refurbished facilities, thanks to the work of U.S. soldiers here.