2007 deadliest year in Iraq for US troops

2007 was the most deadly for US troops in Iraq since the invasion nearly five years ago, US military figures show. Deaths peaked in May when 126 US soldiers died in assaults on insurgent strongholds. The second half of the year saw violence drop with the US escalation of 30,000 extra troops and a freeze on activities by some militias. In Baghdad, 21 deaths were reported in December, one more than in February 2004, the month with the lowest death toll. The 899 US troop deaths in 2007 surpassed 2004 when 850 US soldiers were killed. The US military deaths are dwarfed by Iraqi civilian casualties, although the fluctuations show the same pattern. It is difficult to obtain accurate figures on civilian casualties but the Associated Press said Iraqi civilian deaths peaked in May with 2,155 killed, falling to 718 in November and 710 in December. Over the year, 18,610 Iraqis were killed. In 2006, the only other full year an AP count has been made, 13,813 civilians were killed. The civilian toll was compiled by AP from hospital, police and military officials, as well as accounts from reporters and photographers. Insurgent deaths were not included. Other counts differ and some are much higher. British military casualties were also higher in 2007 than 2006. According to UK Ministry of Defense statistics released at the end of November, 46 soldiers had died in 2007 compared with 29 the year before.