March 21, 2007
U.S.: Use Of Deadly Roadside Bomb Plunges
Military Tells CBS News Decrease May Be Linked To Arrest Of Iranians, Baghdad Crackdown
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A member of the press points to a piece of evidence gathered by the U.S. military on Iran's alleged support to Iraqi militants at a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007. (AP)
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Interactive Iraq: 4 Years Later The conflict wears on as the nation struggles to rebuild.
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.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
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See all 97 CommentsBy the way your revenge idea is dumb. Blowing up Islamic relgious sites to stop terrorist attacks is like trying to put out a bonfire with gasoline.
EFP attacks has significantly dropped.
Feel this is very good news.
We need tough assedt leaders who kick buttts
He would warn the people of Iraq, just once.
If one gun shot comes from any window.
He'd level the city block by block. Till they get the point across.
Our present day Generals could care less. Pansey ***.
They are using our soldiers to clear a route for them.
So send them down the road in a canvas piece of ***, no better than the ones I drove in 70's Nam era.
No one should patrol the road in anything less than a M1 Tank.
And blow there ***** off the map if anyone is with a 1/4 mile of the road.
Maybe they will get a fkg clue.
C130 link? Not found on CNN.com, funny, big story one would think...? big story indeed.
Posted by badaxmofo at 07:03 PM : Mar 21, 2007
Man you guys are unbelievable. LOL Any sign of light at the end of the tunnel and you become the same losers who have us in this mess. But I guess some sign of success is better than 4 long years of failure. LOL This nation is in more need of a Leader than any on the planet!!
Posted by Jebby_One at 06:37 PM : Mar 21, 2007
What good do LIES like this do? Honestly America this is as FASCIST as stuff the Third Reich did CONSTANTLY! No difference. Let's look at Fascism in Action, but not just FASCISM but good old down home, get a rope and I'll bring the Sheets FASCISM. 1) There is debate in this nation between HONEST American Citizens about the amount and kinds of Guns being used in our streets every day. Now you may not agree with everyone on the issue but to say they are trying to take away YOUR guns is just a LIE. Then of course he has to use the old God is on OUR side. Folks I was in Selma in the 60's and I'm here to tell you the "God" the judges through out of those schools and courthouse's was no God I want my kids worshiping. But the point isn't to tell the truth, never has been to Southern Fascist. The reason such *** is said is to create HATE. Who's religion do we favor with our laws and policy's. Then what makes us different than the Taliban? CLASSIC FASCISM! Couldn't be done better in front of a burning cross!! Seig Heil Y'all.
And bbbbbfan, thes blogs are here for us to post our opinions and as long as j-whitman is not repeatedly clogging the board with the same post (like quite a few do) and he is being civil to other posters (and many here do not), then he has as much right to be here as you or I do.
HE MONOPOLIZES THIS BOARD
TRY WASHINGTON POST FOR A WHILE OR BASEBALL
GO AWAY
Posted by bbbbbfan at 06:59 PM : Mar 21, 2007
+ report this comment
That is absolute BUNK!! You are NOT required to talk with or listen to this person.
HE MONOPOLIZES THIS BOARD
TRY WASHINGTON POST FOR A WHILE OR BASEBALL
GO AWAY
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See all 97 Comments