US Death Toll in Iraq Plummets

The monthly US toll in Iraq fell to its lowest point since the war began, with 10 American deaths recorded as July drew to a close today. Iraqis also are dying at dramatically lower numbers in the sixth year of the war. July saw the lowest civilian toll since December 2005, the AP reports.

At least 510 Iraqi civilians and security force members were killed in July, a 75% drop from the 2,021 deaths in the same period last year. At that time, the US troop buildup was nearing its peak. American troops appear to be taking on more of a peacekeeping role after many Sunni and Shiite extremists agreed to stop fighting. (More Iraq stories.)