U.S.: Use Of Deadly Roadside Bomb Plunges

Military Tells CBS News Decrease May Be Linked To Arrest Of Iranians, Baghdad Crackdown

(CBS)  This story was written for CBSNews.com by CBS News correspondent Cami McCormick, who can be heard frequently on CBS Radio.

---

After warning that the threat of deadly EFPs, or Explosively Formed Penetrators, was growing at an alarming rate, the U.S. military now says there's been a "dramatic" decrease in the use of the powerful roadside bombs.

EFPs "can punch through most of the armor out on the battlefield today," Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a U.S. military spokesman said of the devices, which U.S. officials have said come from Iran.

They are blamed for more than 170 American deaths since 2004, when they first appeared on the battlefield. More than 600 American troops have been wounded by the bombs. EFPs account for a small percentage of the roadside bombs in Iraq, but they are responsible for a disproportionately high number of casualties.

Garver says EFP attacks have dropped significantly since December.

"In February, we noticed a 47 percent decrease in explosively formed penetrators being detonated against our troops, a 53 percent decrease in the number of troops wounded and a 51 percent decrease in the number of troops killed" by the devices, he said.

The reported decrease came as the U.S. military offered to reporters what it said was proof that weapons like EFPs were being manufactured in Iran. The Iranian government has denied any involvement in providing weapons or material support to Iraq's insurgency.

According to Garver, the reasons for the marked drop in EFP incidents could include the detention of three Iranians in Baghdad in December. One of the men was believed to be a high-level Operations Officer with the Quds Force of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard.

Garver says the men were suspected of involvement with weapons smuggling.

Most EFP attacks have occurred in Baghdad, and another reason for their decrease may be the ramped-up presence of U.S. and Iraqi troops in the capital due to the ongoing security crackdown.

The city is surrounded by checkpoints, the most critical of which are to the south, according to American military commanders who believe most weapons find their way into Baghdad from that direction.

The next brigade of U.S. troops arriving in Iraq as part of President Bush's troop surge will head south of Baghdad to help choke off those smuggling routes.

"We have to control what we call the belts, to the north, west and south. We're going to have troops in each of those areas, the south being a priority for the next group of troops coming in, to prevent weapons from coming back in once we've cleared them all out of Baghdad," Garver said.

---

Editor's Note: When first reporting this story on March 21, the numbers of EFP attacks on U.S. troops provided by the military showed a more dramatic drop. Lt. Col. Garver contacted Cami McCormick on March 22 to correct the figures he initially reported.

The numbers first reported were: 77 percent drop in incidents, 74 percent drop in deaths, and 64 percent drop in injuries involving EFPs.

Garver apologized for any confusion, and said the military was striving to convey accurate information. He added that the "first two weeks of March show the same trend" in decreased EFP incidents.

[karlimhof]

"The city is surrounded by checkpoints, the most critical of which are to the south, according to American military commanders who believe most weapons find their way into Baghdad from that direction. "

Bagdad surrounded by checkpoints...?

Richard Perle told me the Iraqis were starved for freedom and would re-name their central avenue " Bush Avenue " in thanks for our courageous act.

Witness the biggest foreign policy blunder, and American domestic tragedy, in our history.

GWB, a stupid man.

[terrapin78]

Well done, Mr Commander in Chimp and co-conspirators!

[partyguy51]

Proof the surge is working

why not just give it a chance??

Liberals are just a bunch of quitters. The Liberal way, if you can't do it then quit and let the government pay for your stupidity

The surge is WORKING

leave Bush alone,

we will win!!!

[dredre2k]

I don't believe any "progress reports" that come from the Pentagon or the white house. Nor do I think that any of the recenctly convienently timed "terrorist confessions" are true. This administration is full of lies; may the truth be exposed!

[bluestardad]

THIS REDUCTION IS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE GREAT AND FEARLESS LEADERSHIP OF GEORGE BUSH AND THE DANCING DICKTATERS!

[theusa1st]

I quess since we haven't heard otherwise in the lib press or lib tv it must be true. Just another good thing happening in Irag that they won't report.

[partyguy51]

theUSA1st, I totally agree.

Look at the homepage here at cbsnews, no us soldiers died today, why is that not the number one story??

because it hurts their agenda or undermining the Bush administration. But the number one story for now is a story about Karl Rove.

Yeah right CBS is sooooooooo bias, it makes me sick

thats why the Evening News is not number 1

[terrapin78]

Just like the info from Vietnam on commie body counts, NOT TO BE BELIEVED!!

[duffyn]

Reporting what's happening is bias?

I say that's good news in drop of roadside bombs! Yes!!!!

[nellhb]

Agreed. The press would rather report gory, sensational events rather than good news where activity in Iraq if concerned. Apparently, there IS good news, but readers aren't getting it.

Also, let's fault press reporting for its use of emotionally charged phrases in headlines. Objectivity never really was possible, just a goal, but it looks like that worthy goal is now out the window. So much for the "free" press providing info necessary to operate a democracy successfully. Sad.

[processor2]

LEFTWINGNUT

Typical liberal response

You'll question any fact from a Western press; but some rantings from an Islamic blogosphere, and you'll accept it as truth with your legs spread wide open.

TYPICAL

[clestes-2009]

Here we go again, blame those Iranians! If anyone thinks the Bush administration has forgotten about invading Iran, guess again. They have been quiet about blaming Iranians for much of anything in the last month, but that line is back again. I'll bet we will see it pretty consistantly again.

[one_american]

The radical leaders of Iran have been caught with their "hand in the cookie jar".

Now they are going to pay a very heavy price for murdering our troops.

[us_infidel]

thats why the Evening News is not number 1
Posted by partyguy51 at 12:59 PM : Mar 21, 2007

If you think it's bad now, just wait till that new jack-n-ape takes over fully. First he ran MSNBC into the ground, then it was CNN. CBS will be referred to as the (C)linton (B)roadcasting (S)ervice. Go FOX! :)

[shingles1]

Maybe the surge is working.
I certainly hope so.

What I find funny, however, is that the same people praising the surge are the same ones who stuck their heads in the sand for the last FOUR YEARS denying that the situation in Iraq was getting worse. Remember; everything was great but the media were lying and only reporting the bad news.

Well, as a simple matter of logic - if the situation wasn't getting worse all that time, then why the need for a surge now? Doesn't this also mean that for the last FOUR YEARS you guys have been wrong.

[alphaa10-2009]

partyguy51 said, "Look at the homepage here at cbsnews, no us soldiers died today, why is that not the number one story??"
---
This story was posted in the top news bar, alongside the "Rove subpoenaed" story. CBS could not have emphasized the story more-- at least, without becoming a GOP spin factory.

Though a seemingly positive indicator of EFP control, a lull of a few months or so is not definitive proof of anything. The importation routes for EFP materials remain hard to interdict, as US commanders emphasize.

Also, note the great majority of IEDs is not sophisticated-- therefore, even harder to control-- even if not as lethal. The IED problem remains in full force.

GOP posters are rubbed raw by the suggestion Bush and his incompetent handling of Iraq might be responsible for American deaths. Unfortunately for our troops, however, this is the undeniable history.

Insurgent caches of artillery shells and other ammo were assured when US units entering Baghdad did not secure the Iraqi ammo dumps for months. Instead, they raced to surround the oil ministry with barbed wire.

Now, those same ammo dump weapons are being used against our troops. Satellite photos from 2003 show trucks of unknown origin backed up to the dumps. Administration weapons inspectors searching for WMDs report the dumps open and substantially plundered.

[rafterman1]

"You'll question any fact from a Western press; but some rantings from an Islamic blogosphere, and you'll accept it as truth with your legs spread wide open"

Oh my God, YOU, the king of the "MSM Liberal Bias" complaining, now suddenly defending the our press? Or is it only (the very few) positive Bush stories that pass your muster?

[getagrip54]

Even if the "surge" is working and the number of roadside bombs is down, does that mean we have to keep all those troops over there forever? What happens when we reduce the troop levels? Does the military believe that this reduction is permanent?

I see this lull being used to justify keeping the troop levels high and to continue our occupation of Iraq.

[Syndicate]

Aparently Bush's tough talk against Iran worked. They must have decided they didn't want us to bomb the factory.

[terrapin78]

Don't let them blow smoke up your A s s.

Take the report with a grain of salt. McCain called it "Whack a mole" a while back.

[kylecope]

Way to go, Karlimhof; name calling always wins in the end.

The idiocy of some of these posts is staggering, like the fellow who said he can't believe any of the terrorists' confessions. So, taking that argument to its logical conclusion, there really are no terrorists, right? No one planned 9/11, or the dozens of terrorists attacks both abroad and on our soil during the previous administration?

Moron. Read books, not blogs.

If CBS of all networks is actually reporting good news like this, then there's a helluva lot more out there -- it must've stung like hell for the reporters to post this positive story.

The surge is working -- and put things in perspective: while every soldier's death should be mourned, we lost THOUSANDS of soliders on TRAINING missions for D-Day.

The fact that such a relatively few numbers of U.S. soldiers are stationed in Iraq, and the FACT that 95% of all violence is only centered in Baghdad, where 99% of all the journalists are, should show you that the rest of the country the size of California is VERY stable.

And it should show you that terrorists in Iraq (and sectarian thugs, and the thousands of rapists and murderers Hussein freed from jails in the days before the war started) are playing things out for the cameras just to feed networks all too willing to see our soldiers die in the streets, to prove their political leanings correct.

[shingles1]

"Oh my God, YOU, the king of the "MSM Liberal Bias" complaining, now suddenly defending the our press? Or is it only (the very few) positive Bush stories that pass your muster?
Posted by Rafterman1"

It's kind of like whenever a public opinion poll reflects negatively on Bush you'll hear choruses of "polls are liberal lies!" but when a poll reflects positively on Bush they wont stop singing it's praises.

This type of nonsense is the real Bush Derangement Syndrome.

[kylecope]

Way to go, Karlimhof; name calling always wins in the end.

The idiocy of some of these posts is staggering, like the fellow who said he can't believe any of the terrorists' confessions. So, taking that argument to its logical conclusion, there really are no terrorists, right? No one planned 9/11, or the dozens of terrorists attacks both abroad and on our soil during the previous administration?

Moron. Read books, not blogs.

If CBS of all networks is actually reporting good news like this, then there's a helluva lot more out there -- it must've stung like hell for the reporters to post this positive story.

The surge is working -- and put things in perspective: while every soldier's death should be mourned, we lost THOUSANDS of soliders on TRAINING missions for D-Day, let alone the operation itself.

The fact that such a relatively few numbers of U.S. soldiers are stationed in a country the size of California, coupled with the fact that 95% of all violence is only centered in Baghdad, where 99% of all the journalists are, should show you that the rest of the country the size of California is VERY stable.

And it should show you that terrorists in Iraq (and sectarian thugs, and the thousands of rapists and murderers Hussein freed from jails in the days before the war started) are playing things out for the cameras just to feed networks all too willing to see our soldiers die in the streets, to prove their political biases correct.

[andrew_693]

The question is why did you invade Iraq? where are the weapons of mass destruction? isn't that why you invaded? if you are the bringers of freedom and democracy how come they attack you? if you are the good guys how come you torture your enemies in guantanamom how come the population doesn't help you? and why do you insist on a 9-11 connection to the war in Iraq, even though your own president has said publicly that there is none?

[shingles1]

"And it should show you that terrorists in Iraq (and sectarian thugs, and the thousands of rapists and murderers Hussein freed from jails in the days before the war started) are playing things out for the cameras just to feed networks all too willing to see our soldiers die in the streets, to prove their political leanings correct."

I take it then that you believe there'd be no violence if there were no cameras. Well in that case, according to this logic, we should just ban the media from Iraq. Then the violence will stop and we can go home and dance a happy dance.

[kylecope]

Way to go, Karlimhof; name calling always wins in the end.

The idiocy of some of these posts is staggering, like the fellow who said he can't believe any of the terrorists' confessions. So, taking that argument to its logical conclusion, there really are no terrorists, right? No one planned 9/11, or the dozens of terrorists attacks both abroad and on our soil during the previous administration?

Moron. Read books, not blogs.

If CBS of all networks is actually reporting good news like this, then there's a helluva lot more out there -- it must've stung like hell for the reporters to post this positive story.

The surge is working -- and put things in perspective: while every soldier's death should be mourned, we lost THOUSANDS of soliders on TRAINING missions for D-Day, let alone the operation itself.

The fact that such a relatively few numbers of U.S. soldiers are stationed in a country the size of California, coupled with the fact that 95% of all violence is only centered in Baghdad, where 99% of all the journalists are, should show you that the rest of the country the size of California is VERY stable.

And it should show you that terrorists in Iraq (and sectarian thugs, and the thousands of rapists and murderers Hussein freed from jails in the days before the war started) are playing things out for the cameras just to feed networks all too willing to see our soldiers die in the streets, to prove their political biases correct.

[jjaymorning]

why did the US invade Iraq? surely the US wouldn't be there without the permission and invitation of Saudi! unfortunately dar ul Harb is not understood and we are losing soldiers.

[processor2]

LEFTWINGNUT

Typical liberal response

You'll question any fact from a Western press; but some rantings from an Islamic blogosphere, and you'll accept it as truth with your legs spread wide open.

TYPICAL

[j-whitman]

The full spin is on -- There is absoultly no region in Iraq that's as rosey as Bush & his cronies say.

[j-whitman]

HELL,, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE THE TROOPS TO DEFEND OUR NATION AGAINST A MAJOR ATTACK

[afmca]

I am glad that the violence is going down which hopefully will result in less people getting killed or maimed (American and Iraqi). The proof that the surge is working will be weeks and months out - just like nobody can say the surge is not working as it is too early to tell. With that many troops on the ground in a concentrated area something positive had to happen. The Sunni and Shiite extremists have proven themselves very adaptable in the past so we need to wait until we see their reaction. They have spent centuries killing one another - their patience is measured in decades not until the next news cycle.

[jhouse9]

It is still too early to judge, but it is a positive trend, for sure.Each one denied equals saved Iraqi and American lives.
The real test is going to come when the U.S. draws down, which is bound to come.
Will Iraq stand on it's own and not implode on itself?
Will it be able to defend itself from foes within and outside Iraq?
Americans should realize our influence and power is limited there..we can help provide security and stability, but Iraqis also have to want to create a peaceful, pluralistic society.
After living 30 years under Saddam's terror state, the current situation is understandable.
People are grabbing for power, and some want it at any cost.Throw in the jihadis and you have a boiling cauldron of violence.

[j-whitman]

AFMCA,,,, Let's see now -- General Petreaus said the Surge wouldn't work - He also said the military cannot solve the problem,, It has to be political.

Guess what ??? There is little to no political action going on by Iraq's government

[j-whitman]

Pelosi just went off on Senator Inhof -- Go Girl

[notblue]

j-whitman, the general said it must be a COMBINATION of political and military. Please explain what your position is in regards to being privy to political conversations and negotiations in the Iraqi and U.S. governments or is your claim only speculation gleened from info or lack there of it provided by CBS?

[j-whitman]

Notblue,,,,, Read my comment,, He did say both are needed & he has also publicly said the surge alone wouldn't work --- Currently thier is little to no political action.

[j-whitman]

Notblue,,, You really need to start watching more news sources other than Fox or listening to Rush.

[jhouse9]

KyleCope has a good point about historical perspective. In this war, the media nad politicians have none. Every life is precious,but we're at war. When you put our troops next to our enemy, we will have casualties.
Compared to other major conflicts in the last century, friendly casualties have been much lower.
Of course, no politician can gain from making statements to the effect, nor do most media outlets want to report it.(wonder why?)
It is odd few people can admit, regardless how they feel about how we got in this war, we are fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq. These afffiliated jihadists groups are behind the nastiest killings of civilians and on Iraqi and coalition forces)in Iraq now.That is a fact, not an opinion.
Intentionally sending dozens of children to their deaths is evil.Go to CSPAN or Utube and listen to UP's Pam Hess.She reports the truth about what is going on there, as few other reporters have dared to do.
Walking away from Iraq is not an option.

[j-whitman]

jhouse9,,,, U-Tube is not a reliable source,, anyone can post without any verification of thier postings... You can say anything you want on U-Tube & My-Space, truth or lies, fairy tales or hate.

[j-whitman]

jhouse9,,,, Think about it a moment please --- It's not walking away from Iraq --- It's redeployment to actually take the fight to al Queda & win -- It forces Iraq's government to finally stand up.

[j-whitman]

USAadvisor,,, Senator Inhof, he's one of the last remaining dinosaures of the old order...

[jebby_one]

Democrats have to get with it and advance their timeline if they want to surrender in Iraq.

Of course it's never-never too late for Democrats to throw in the towel. Hell, there Democrats still trying to surrenter to England and declare our Bill of Rights null and void.

[j-whitman]

Jebby,,, You're too much, my ribs are hurting from laughing so hard --- These republicans have been attacking our Constitution for 6 years,,, Bush alone has violated it over 500 times just with his signing statements

For Your Info -- The Bill of Rights is the 1st 10 amendments of our Constitution.

[notblue]

j-whitman, I read your post nothing was said about a combination and you negeleted to answer the question, on purpose I'm sure.

[j-whitman]

USAadvisor,,, My bad,, That was Boxer that went off on Inhof

[candojj1]

This seems to fit a new line of propaganda where we are switching from Appeal to fear which seeks to build support by instilling anxieties and panic in the general population, to claim that Iraq sought our extermination via WMD. The new technique is a jump on the bandwagon and "inevitable-victory" which appeals and attempt to persuade the target audience to join in and take the course of action that everyone else is taking. It invites those not already on the bandwagon to join those already on the road to certain victory. Those already or at least partially on the bandwagon are reassured that staying aboard is their best course of action.
Also, this technique reinforces people's natural desire to be on the winning side. This technique is used to convince the audience that a program is an expression of an irresistible mass movement and that it is in their best interest to join.

This is not the Third Reich! It costs $30 to make a roadside bomb. This device is home made. It is simple and requires simple parts. It won%u2019t go away. And just because the media doesn't hear about the casualties and thus the American people don't hear about it, it doesn't mean it isn't happening.

The shift is on. Iran and the Soviet Union has begun arming Latin American countries for years now in anticipation of a war on our soil using WMD. Our Latin neighbors are not our friends, And while the battle rages in Iraq, the U.S. is not defended us!

[j-whitman]

Notblue,,,,
, This was your question,, " Please explain what your position is in regards to being privy to political conversations and negotiations in the Iraqi and U.S. governments"
, My answer is,,, I'm no more privy to information than any citizen,,, I simply follow more news sources than Fox or Rush.

[sharncedar]

good to know we finally won the war in Iraq. Whew. What a relief. The surge is working, the "bad man" Saddam Hussein is gone, everything's peachy, great.

When are we bringing the troops home?

[j-whitman]

vbnvbn,,, If you don't listen to Fox or MSNBC, where do you get your info from ???,,, CBS & ABC pretty much echo MSNBC & CNN

[book54552134]

It is foolish to believe anything the DOD via the Bush Administration says about Iraq.
That entire corrupt bunch in the White House are established & expert propagandists.