U.S. combat deaths in Iraq plunge in July

By Mohammed Abbas

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The number of U.S. soldiers killed in combat in Iraq has dropped sharply in July and the monthly total is likely to be the lowest since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003.

Five U.S. soldiers have been killed in combat in Iraq so far in July compared to 66 in the same month last year, according to the independent website icasualties.org, which keeps records of U.S. military losses in the conflict.

The drop underscores the dramatic fall in violence in Iraq to lows not seen since early 2004.

Seeking to build on those gains, tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers and police launched a major operation against Sunni Islamist al Qaeda in northeastern Diyala province on Tuesday.

Al Qaeda has sought to stoke tensions in Diyala, its only haven close to Baghdad. A Reuters witness said forces had deployed throughout the provincial capital Baquba.

Security forces imposed a vehicle curfew and searched homes for weapons and wanted militants. Most shops were closed.

The U.S. combat death toll in July is down from 23 in June and 15 in May, the icasualties.org data showed.

The fall comes as Iraqi forces have taken the lead in major security operations. The U.S. military this month also withdrew the last of five extra combat brigades that were sent to Iraq last year to drag the country back from civil war.