December Is The First Month Without A US Combat Death In Iraq

Day Of Mixed Emotions In Baghdad: Elation For U.S., But Anger For Iraqis -- Washington Post

BAGHDAD -- U.S. commanders in Iraq began the new year Friday by trumpeting a milestone -- their first month without a combat death since the start of the war -- and by sending a clear signal that their focus in 2010 will be on getting out of the country that American forces invaded nearly seven years ago.

But for Iraqis, Friday was marked by bitter recriminations over a U.S. judge's decision to dismiss charges against five Blackwater security guards who had been accused of killing 14 Iraqi civilians and wounding 20 others in 2007 -- a reminder that resentments toward the American occupation will linger long after U.S. troops have gone home.

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For the first time since the Iraq war began in 2003, no U.S. troops
were killed in battle in December. Photo CNN

More News On Iraq

No US combat deaths in Iraq in December -- BBC
US claims Iraq milestone after month with no fatalities -- Financial Times
U.S. hails month with no Iraq casualties -- UPI
No U.S. combat-related deaths in Iraq in December -- CNN

Iraq civilian death toll down to 4,500 in 09: study -- Washington Post/Reuters
Iraq civilian deaths 'down in 2009' -- BBC
Iraq death toll drops to lowest level since invasion -- AFP

Ceremony Formally Marks End of Coalition Effort in Iraq -- Los Angeles Times
The Name Change in Iraq: Multi-National Force in Iraq Becomes U.S. Forces in Iraq -- ABC News
`Coalition of the willing' becomes an army of one -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
Petraeus hails progress as US transforms Iraq command -- The Raw Story/AFP
In Baghdad, Petraeus Stresses Elections' Importance -- Wall Street Journal/AP

Iraqis Express Dismay Over Blackwater Ruling -- L.A. Times
Iraq threatens action after Blackwater case collapses -- The Guardian
Iraq to sue ex-Blackwater guards -- CNN
Iraq outraged as Blackwater case is dropped -- The Independent

Freed Captive Is Reunited With His Family in Britain -- New York Times
Peter Moore Reunited with Family as Argument Rages Over Deaths -- Times Online
Iraq hostage Peter Moore 'easing back into life' -- BBC

Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq - Saturday 2 January, 2010 -- McClatchy News

Toward a Less Deadly Iraq -- Los Angeles Times editorial