Another Iraqi Milestone...
cyclic | 28.02.2006 15:46 | Analysis | Anti-militarism | Indymedia | South Coast
With the deaths of two British soldiers in Iraq today, Coalition fatalities have exceeded two and a half thousand since the invasion in March 2003.
The number of Coalition military fatalities in Iraq exceeded 2,500 today. The deaths of two British soldiers on the morning of the 28th of February have pushed the total Coalition death toll, excluding soldiers and police of the Iraqi pseudo-state, to 2502. No doubt this figure will be at best unreported and, quite probably, completely unreported in the ‘free press’. It barely needs mentioning that the deaths of Iraqis, even those who are our ‘allies,’ merit even less attention, despite casualty figures several times higher.
It has been a systematic policy of the western media to underplay the coalition death toll. Since the full awakening of the insurgency approximately one year after the fall Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party, US, UK and other Coalition forces have been killed at a rate of over 2 soldiers per day, sometimes much higher. This trend (www.icasualties.org , not in itself an anti-war site, does an excellent job of recording US & Coalition fatalities) has continued regardless of whether the media has reported an ‘upsurge in violence’ or ‘period of relative calm’. Regardless of reporting and misinformation, the casualties roll on at the same, predictable rate; averaging at two per day every month, unless the US army launches a major ground offensive. In these cases the US death toll rises dramatically. To give examples of the two largest and most infamous of such assaults- the April’04 and November ’04 attacks on Falluja, the coalition lost 140 and 141 troops respectively during these months. Armed resistance to the occupation never ceased in Falluja, before, during or after the US re-invasion. Despite this, the November assault widely reported as a success.
The media ‘tweaks’ the coalition death toll to suit leaders’ ends. All the major ‘milestones’ mentioned only count US dead, thereby undercounting coalition casualties in ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ by over two hundred at present. Obviously, given the tenaciousness of the insurgency this can be little more than a delaying tactic, but a useful one nonetheless.
Generally, US casualties are only reported nationally and internationally when the insurgents are particularly successful, causing 4 or more coalition fatalities in one attack (the smaller attacks may make local county news). Strangely, and counter-intuitively in a world inured to the deaths of non-whites, suicide bombings of Iraqi civilians are more likely receive press coverage than the deaths of US troops.
These facts require certain questions to be asked. Firstly, why the underreporting? When westerners are killed by dark-skinned foreigners this is normally major news, inside and outside of war zones. Indeed, these attacks by the various insurgent groups did make the news during the ‘beginning’ of the insurgency in 2004, when it looked like this might be a temporary setback to the Coalition. Could it be that after so many attacks the story of (mostly American) troops being killed in their ones and twos is simply boring? Could it be that after a certain number of insurgent attacks they cease to become news? This is possibly a factor, but I would like to posit a different answer. The story of US/Coalition troops, part of the most advanced military machine on earth, being systematically targeted, day in day out, by a ‘guerrilla war of attrition’ by the Iraqi resistance, would be even more demoralizing to the American and British public, and would increase the voices of those calling for an immediate withdrawal, swelling the ranks of the anti-war movement from beyond those who object to the war on moral grounds (pacifistic or anti-imperialist) and include those American, British, Polish, Italian and other patriots who simply do not want to see their countrymen killed for a country and a cause that the care little about.
By combining these casualty statistics: 2,296 US, 103 UK and 103 from other coalition countries, we reach a current running total of 2,502 coalition casualties. If we add to this the 341 casualties of ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ (the invasion and colonisation of Afghanistan), we reach a total of 2,843 coalition fatalities in the ‘War on Terror’.
To put this in some sort of context, 2,996 people were killed in the September 11 attacks, one hundred and eighty three more than number of western soldiers (excluding mercenaries) killed during Bush Junior's military adventures. Given the relentless two-per-day logic of the insurgency, this figure will be exceeded in May 2006. In other words, Bush’s ‘War on Terror’ will have been directly responsible for a loss of western lives equal to that on 9-11. This figure does not include foreign mercenaries working for the Coalition, journalists, UN staff and NGO workers (not even mentioning the Iraqi civilians, whose dead currently number between 100,000 and 300,000 according to the Lancet) who have all been caught up in Iraq’s violence. It remains to be seen whether this will be reported by our press. If it is not, then once again it is the job independent media to tell the news.
It has been a systematic policy of the western media to underplay the coalition death toll. Since the full awakening of the insurgency approximately one year after the fall Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party, US, UK and other Coalition forces have been killed at a rate of over 2 soldiers per day, sometimes much higher. This trend (www.icasualties.org , not in itself an anti-war site, does an excellent job of recording US & Coalition fatalities) has continued regardless of whether the media has reported an ‘upsurge in violence’ or ‘period of relative calm’. Regardless of reporting and misinformation, the casualties roll on at the same, predictable rate; averaging at two per day every month, unless the US army launches a major ground offensive. In these cases the US death toll rises dramatically. To give examples of the two largest and most infamous of such assaults- the April’04 and November ’04 attacks on Falluja, the coalition lost 140 and 141 troops respectively during these months. Armed resistance to the occupation never ceased in Falluja, before, during or after the US re-invasion. Despite this, the November assault widely reported as a success.
The media ‘tweaks’ the coalition death toll to suit leaders’ ends. All the major ‘milestones’ mentioned only count US dead, thereby undercounting coalition casualties in ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ by over two hundred at present. Obviously, given the tenaciousness of the insurgency this can be little more than a delaying tactic, but a useful one nonetheless.
Generally, US casualties are only reported nationally and internationally when the insurgents are particularly successful, causing 4 or more coalition fatalities in one attack (the smaller attacks may make local county news). Strangely, and counter-intuitively in a world inured to the deaths of non-whites, suicide bombings of Iraqi civilians are more likely receive press coverage than the deaths of US troops.
These facts require certain questions to be asked. Firstly, why the underreporting? When westerners are killed by dark-skinned foreigners this is normally major news, inside and outside of war zones. Indeed, these attacks by the various insurgent groups did make the news during the ‘beginning’ of the insurgency in 2004, when it looked like this might be a temporary setback to the Coalition. Could it be that after so many attacks the story of (mostly American) troops being killed in their ones and twos is simply boring? Could it be that after a certain number of insurgent attacks they cease to become news? This is possibly a factor, but I would like to posit a different answer. The story of US/Coalition troops, part of the most advanced military machine on earth, being systematically targeted, day in day out, by a ‘guerrilla war of attrition’ by the Iraqi resistance, would be even more demoralizing to the American and British public, and would increase the voices of those calling for an immediate withdrawal, swelling the ranks of the anti-war movement from beyond those who object to the war on moral grounds (pacifistic or anti-imperialist) and include those American, British, Polish, Italian and other patriots who simply do not want to see their countrymen killed for a country and a cause that the care little about.
By combining these casualty statistics: 2,296 US, 103 UK and 103 from other coalition countries, we reach a current running total of 2,502 coalition casualties. If we add to this the 341 casualties of ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ (the invasion and colonisation of Afghanistan), we reach a total of 2,843 coalition fatalities in the ‘War on Terror’.
To put this in some sort of context, 2,996 people were killed in the September 11 attacks, one hundred and eighty three more than number of western soldiers (excluding mercenaries) killed during Bush Junior's military adventures. Given the relentless two-per-day logic of the insurgency, this figure will be exceeded in May 2006. In other words, Bush’s ‘War on Terror’ will have been directly responsible for a loss of western lives equal to that on 9-11. This figure does not include foreign mercenaries working for the Coalition, journalists, UN staff and NGO workers (not even mentioning the Iraqi civilians, whose dead currently number between 100,000 and 300,000 according to the Lancet) who have all been caught up in Iraq’s violence. It remains to be seen whether this will be reported by our press. If it is not, then once again it is the job independent media to tell the news.
cyclic
e-mail:
vegan_army@yahoo.com
Comments
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Count the cost
28.02.2006 16:11
Billy Brag
This article's numbers are incorrect
28.02.2006 20:22
They currently report 2,296, not 2,500.
Have no doubt that it'll get up to 2,500 before too long though, and then keep right on rising.
Will it make any difference to the US electorate when the number of US war dead in Iraq exceeds the number killed on Sept. 11? Pull the other one.
And we seem to have stopped tracking those OTHER milestones:
DF
appologies...
28.02.2006 23:17
You're right. Wikipedia mentions the figure of 2986- 10 lower than my figure. Otherwise, www.icasualties.org 's figures for coalition troop fatalities come from reuters, associate press and the US and UK Departments of Defense. The lancet's figures are estimations based on tried and tested epidemiological research (the US quotes figures from the Democratic Republic of Congo that were extrapolated using the same 'cluster' technique. If you have any better figures- show them.
cyclic
Dear Mr Blair, why are you afraid to meet us?
01.03.2006 14:58
As two more British soldiers die in Iraq, The Independent publishes an open letter from bereaved relatives to the Prime Minister
Published: 01 March 2006
Dear Prime Minister,
We, the undersigned, have each known the pain of losing someone very close to us in the war in Iraq. All of them, Mr Blair, were proud to serve their country, and always knew and accepted that their duty could take them into danger. They always had faith, though, that no British prime minister would ever commit them to fight in an unjustified war.
The bravery of our sons, husbands, fathers, brothers could never be in any doubt. It cost them their lives in pursuit of a war that you so strongly supported. Some of us believed in the war at the outset; others not. All of us now, though, believe it was based on a series of lies - your lies.
Too many lives have been lost in the war, soldiers and Iraqis, and still there is no end in sight. We feel passionately that it is time to bring our troops home. We will be supporting the Troops Out demonstration on 18 March.
We would, of course, like the chance to say all this to you in person. As you know, we have sought meetings with you, to no avail. That seems to us a serious dereliction of your responsibilities. If you truly believe your policies, and the continuing need for the presence of British servicemen and women in Iraq, you should surely have the courage to face the families of those who have paid the ultimate price, and to explain them to us.
In the midst of the most terrible grief, we have tried at all times to conduct ourselves with dignity. Even as two more families endure the agony of loss all of us know so well, we hope our letter today requesting a meeting might give you pause for thought, and to reconsider. It is time for you to take us and our views seriously. We believe we speak for the majority in this country in our desire to bring the troops home. We ask you to treat us with respect.
Yours sincerely
Debbie Allbutt Wife of Cpl Stephen Allbutt, 35, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, died 25 March 2003
Anna Aston Wife of Cpl Russell Aston, 30, of 156 Provost Company, died 24 June 2003
Roger Bacon Father of Major Matthew Bacon, 34, of Headquarters of Multi-National Division, died 11 September 2005
Peter, Christine and Helen Brierley Parents and sister of L/Cpl Shaun Brierley, 28, of 212 Signal Squadron, died 30 March 2003
Beverley Clarke Mother of Tpr David Clarke, 19, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, died 25 March 2003
James and Ray Craw Parents of L/Cpl Andrew Craw, 21, of 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died 7 January 2004
Theresa Evans Mother of L/Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, aged 29, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, died 21 March 2003
Rose and George Gentle, and Pauline Graham Parents and grandmother of Fusilier Gordon Gentle, 19, of 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers, died 28 June 2004
Richard, Karen and Catherine Green Parents and sister of Lt Philip Green, 30, of 849 Squadron, died 22 March 2003
Sharon Hehir Wife of Sgt Les Hehir, 34, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, died 21 March 2003
Pauline Hickey Mother of Sgt Chris Hickey, 30, of 1st Battalion, the Coldstream Guards, died 18 October 2005
Reg and Sally Keys Parents of L/Cpl Thomas Keys, 20, of 156 Provost Company, RMP, died 24 June 2003
George and Ann Lawrence Parents of Lt Marc Lawrence, 26, of 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose, died 22 March 2003
Patricia Long, Byron Long Mother and brother of Cpl Paul Long, 24, of 156 Provost Company, RMP, died 24 June 2003
John and Marilyn Miller Parents of Cpl Simon Miller, 21, of 156 Provost Company, died 24 June 2003
Tracey, Tony and Mair Pritchard Wife and parents of Cpl Dewi Pritchard, 35, of 116 Provost Company (Volunteers), died 23 August 2003
Lianne Seymour Wife of operator mechanic 2nd Class Ian Seymour, 28, of 148 Commando Battery Royal Artillery, died 21 March 2003
Sue and Nigel Smith Mother and stepfather of Pte Phillip Hewett, 21, of 1st Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment, died 16 July 2005
Dear Prime Minister,
We, the undersigned, have each known the pain of losing someone very close to us in the war in Iraq. All of them, Mr Blair, were proud to serve their country, and always knew and accepted that their duty could take them into danger. They always had faith, though, that no British prime minister would ever commit them to fight in an unjustified war.
The bravery of our sons, husbands, fathers, brothers could never be in any doubt. It cost them their lives in pursuit of a war that you so strongly supported. Some of us believed in the war at the outset; others not. All of us now, though, believe it was based on a series of lies - your lies.
Too many lives have been lost in the war, soldiers and Iraqis, and still there is no end in sight. We feel passionately that it is time to bring our troops home. We will be supporting the Troops Out demonstration on 18 March.
We would, of course, like the chance to say all this to you in person. As you know, we have sought meetings with you, to no avail. That seems to us a serious dereliction of your responsibilities. If you truly believe your policies, and the continuing need for the presence of British servicemen and women in Iraq, you should surely have the courage to face the families of those who have paid the ultimate price, and to explain them to us.
In the midst of the most terrible grief, we have tried at all times to conduct ourselves with dignity. Even as two more families endure the agony of loss all of us know so well, we hope our letter today requesting a meeting might give you pause for thought, and to reconsider. It is time for you to take us and our views seriously. We believe we speak for the majority in this country in our desire to bring the troops home. We ask you to treat us with respect.
Yours sincerely
Debbie Allbutt Wife of Cpl Stephen Allbutt, 35, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, died 25 March 2003
Anna Aston Wife of Cpl Russell Aston, 30, of 156 Provost Company, died 24 June 2003
Roger Bacon Father of Major Matthew Bacon, 34, of Headquarters of Multi-National Division, died 11 September 2005
Peter, Christine and Helen Brierley Parents and sister of L/Cpl Shaun Brierley, 28, of 212 Signal Squadron, died 30 March 2003
Beverley Clarke Mother of Tpr David Clarke, 19, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, died 25 March 2003
James and Ray Craw Parents of L/Cpl Andrew Craw, 21, of 1st Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died 7 January 2004
Theresa Evans Mother of L/Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, aged 29, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, died 21 March 2003
Rose and George Gentle, and Pauline Graham Parents and grandmother of Fusilier Gordon Gentle, 19, of 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers, died 28 June 2004
Richard, Karen and Catherine Green Parents and sister of Lt Philip Green, 30, of 849 Squadron, died 22 March 2003
Sharon Hehir Wife of Sgt Les Hehir, 34, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, died 21 March 2003
Pauline Hickey Mother of Sgt Chris Hickey, 30, of 1st Battalion, the Coldstream Guards, died 18 October 2005
Reg and Sally Keys Parents of L/Cpl Thomas Keys, 20, of 156 Provost Company, RMP, died 24 June 2003
George and Ann Lawrence Parents of Lt Marc Lawrence, 26, of 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose, died 22 March 2003
Patricia Long, Byron Long Mother and brother of Cpl Paul Long, 24, of 156 Provost Company, RMP, died 24 June 2003
John and Marilyn Miller Parents of Cpl Simon Miller, 21, of 156 Provost Company, died 24 June 2003
Tracey, Tony and Mair Pritchard Wife and parents of Cpl Dewi Pritchard, 35, of 116 Provost Company (Volunteers), died 23 August 2003
Lianne Seymour Wife of operator mechanic 2nd Class Ian Seymour, 28, of 148 Commando Battery Royal Artillery, died 21 March 2003
Sue and Nigel Smith Mother and stepfather of Pte Phillip Hewett, 21, of 1st Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment, died 16 July 2005
Danny
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