British Casualty Monitor Update 23.10.07: Decline in casualties continues in Iraq but more troops planned for Afghanistan
Yesterday, we posted on the delayed release of the fortnightly casualty data from the Ministry of Defence. This morning, purely by coincidence, the data on British casualties from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been made available on the MOD www site. This release covers the period up to 30th September. In Iraq, total British military casualties for 2007 have now reached 1506, while in Afghanistan, total casualties for 2007 now stand at 1129.
The ceasefire and withdrawal from Basra City at the beginning of September can be clearly associated with a marked and continuing decline in British casualties.
However, in Afghanistan, casualties have risen for the previous 3 months and, if the trend continues, casualties from this war will exceed those from Iraq before the end of the year.
News round up:
The MOD have announced a massive increase in compensation for soldiers suffering multiple serious injuries. Less good news for the armed forces concerns a new court case being brought against the MOD. It is alleged that horrific torture and mutilation of Iraqi prisoners took place following a fierce battle in May 2004.
Current events in Iraq appear to be taking another turn for the worse as one of the anticipated spin-offs from the invasion, open conflict between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan, moves closer.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan the lack of commitment from other NATO members, combined with the continued fierce fighting, is leading Britain to considering sending more troops. Britain already has 7,700 troops committed to the war but the continued presence of Canada and the Netherlands in the south of Afghanistan is now in doubt.
The ceasefire and withdrawal from Basra City at the beginning of September can be clearly associated with a marked and continuing decline in British casualties.
However, in Afghanistan, casualties have risen for the previous 3 months and, if the trend continues, casualties from this war will exceed those from Iraq before the end of the year.
News round up:
The MOD have announced a massive increase in compensation for soldiers suffering multiple serious injuries. Less good news for the armed forces concerns a new court case being brought against the MOD. It is alleged that horrific torture and mutilation of Iraqi prisoners took place following a fierce battle in May 2004.
Current events in Iraq appear to be taking another turn for the worse as one of the anticipated spin-offs from the invasion, open conflict between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan, moves closer.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan the lack of commitment from other NATO members, combined with the continued fierce fighting, is leading Britain to considering sending more troops. Britain already has 7,700 troops committed to the war but the continued presence of Canada and the Netherlands in the south of Afghanistan is now in doubt.
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