From General Sherlock’s briefing yesterday:
GEN. SHERLOCK: “In Iraq, since the final surge forces arrived in June, our operations against terrorists and extremist groups have had a sustained positive effect. “Overall violence is down in many areas of Iraq. For example, in and around Baghdad, terrorist operations are down by 59 percent; operations targeting Iraqi security forces are down over 60 percent; car bombs are down by 65 percent; fatalities due to car combs have decreased by 81 percent; casualties due to enemy attacks are down by 77 percent; and the violence during this last Ramadan period was the lowest in three years. “Another example: in Al Anbar province, last week we had no casualties, killed or wounded in action. And that’s the first time in recent memory that I can be able to say that. “Overall casualties in Iraq have continued to decrease, even though coalition forces have conducted a variety of operations throughout the country.”
It should also be noted that not a single American has been killed by an IED in Anbar province since September 10. I think I mentioned this a few days ago, but, of all the metrics that indicate progress in Iraq, I find that to be the most startling.
