Posted on 04/23/2011 12:09:35 PM PDT by Cardhu
BAGHDAD: Two American soldiers have been killed during a mission in southern Iraq, the US military said on Saturday.
The fatalities raised to 4,450 the number of US soldiers who have died in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, according to an AFP tally based on data from an independent website.
Two US service members were killed yesterday (Friday) while conducting operations in southern Iraq, the military said in a statement without giving any other details.
Sixty members of the US military were killed in Iraq in 2010, according to icasualties.org, by far the smallest number since 2003.
Less than 50,000 US troops remain in the country, but a security agreement between Baghdad and Washington requires that they be withdrawn by the end of 2011.
The latest casualties came the same day as the top American military officer said on a visit to Baghdad that Iraq has just weeks to decide if it needs US troops to stay beyond the year-end deadline.
It (talks) needs to start soon, very soon, should there be any chance of avoiding irrevocable logistics and operational decisions we must make in the coming weeks, Admiral Michael Mullen said at a news conference at the US militarys Victory Base Camp on Baghdads outskirts.
Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said no request had been made by the Iraqi government for any American troop presence beyond 2011, and his remarks reiterated those of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on a visit two weeks ago.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has named security as one of his top priorities, but his unity government remains deadlocked over appointments to key security portfolios.
Maliki has also told the American visitors that Iraqi forces were up to the task of ensuring security.
Can we get the hell out of that sewer of a nation yet?
I agree. But we’d better get out of Afghanistan first.
Prayers.
AP have just reported that a Nato helicopter was shot down in Afghanistant and with one dead. The Taliban have claimed they shot it down.
Iraq has said "no" to this before.
Why is the US persisting?
Prayers up for the troops' loved ones and for the peaceful repose of their souls.
How much longer are you here for?
Didn't that sandstorm suck yesterday?
And the incoming lately....isn't that a nuisance?
You are right and Maliki cannot request that they stay as Moqtada al-Sadr has threatened to bring down his government and wage war against the Americans.
Just heartbreaking. NO words, just prayers.
My son is celebrating his 28th birthday today in Baghdad.
My heart goes out to the loved ones of these patriots who have given it all for us.
Prayers up.
You would know better then anyone on this site. Can democracy work in either of these places now that Sharia law is the ruling law of these countries?
Happy birthday to him.
I'll say an extra prayer for him.
Thank you for raising one of the good guys.
Thanks. He really is. I’m very proud of him, and all of those he is serving with.
Thank you for all you’ve done.
Iraq doesn't have Sharia law, although their constitution does state that no law shall conflict with Islam.
It also states that people are free to practice whatever religion they choose, but recognizes Islam as the majority (dominant) religion.
That's all loosely interpreted, I guess. Alcohol is legal here, but some Shia-dominated areas are forbidding it.
Women don't have to cover up (by law) and are allowed to vote and hold public office - and they do. Plenty of women here dress just like we do, but then you also see the abaya. Young Iraqis listen to hip-hop and embrace all things American while there are others who still resent the heck out of us.
It remains to be seen whether the democracy will take hold. Most of the people want it, but there are always the factions that want to make trouble.
Muqtada al Sadr's group wants to turn Iraq into another Iran. But most Iraqis are vehemently opposed to that.
Prime Minister Maliki is too friendly with Iran and the populace here in Iraq is getting more and more frustrated. Demonstrations against the government are becoming more frequent in provinces all over the country. (You've got to love that a little - since they did not dare do anything like that before.)
There have also been lively protests against any suggestions of Wahabbi-ism and any other oppressive style of government.
So, we'll see in the next couple of years if Iraq is finally strong enough to stand up and be truly free. They have the tools and they've had good guidance.
It's up to them now. I hope and pray they make it.
Most didn’t want to get into this nation building nonsense; especially since we seem to be bearing the brunt of the costs.
What the heck are you talking about keyboard commando? Most of us want OUT of Iraq - an ungrateful nation that has cost us innumerable lives and treasure. The sooner we’re out of there the better.
I suppose I should be asking you the same thing. Project much?
Who's "us?" Who's "we?" You keep saying that.
That implies that you are here.
So, who's really the keyboard commando?
I'm typing this from Baghdad.
What part of the country are you in? All that "us" and "we" stuff drives me to ask.
Oh boy, did YOU pick the wrong lady to pick a fight with.
Allegra, did you find a good source of Fruit Gummies over there?
I still remember you like them! :)
The liberation of Iraq has had other benefits too. Very likely the “Arab Spring” rebellions wouldn’t be happening now if Iraq hadn’t have become a democracy. Now other Arab countries are looking at Iraq and saying “Why not us? Why can’t we be free?”
There will always be risks, but I think the terrorist risk against the United States would be less with Arab democracies.
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