During November, this column found 3,341 people were
killed and 1,776 more were wounded in violent encounters across Iraq.
That’s up from the 3,071 killed and 1,160 wounded in October.
These numbers attempt to reflect the total number of casualties, but that may
be an impossible task. Numbers from behind militant lines are difficult to
accurately gauge, and the Iraqi government has been known to inflate or deflate
numbers at will. They should be considered only an estimate, perhaps a low one.
Antiwar.com found that at least 482 civilians were killed
and 574 were wounded during the month. Security personnel lost at least 229
members, while another 215 were wounded. According to media reports, 2,852
militants were killed and 539 were wounded.
The United Nations released
its November data on Tuesday. Their Iraq personnel found 489 civilians and 399
security members were killed. They do not attempt to count militant casualties
nor any casualties in Anbar province. At least 1,237 civilians and security
personnel were wounded.
Combining the counts, we have 3,341 dead and 1,776
wounded.
In other news:
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter testified
before the House Armed Services Committee, where he admitted
that Special Forces have already been involved in combat operations. He
further elaborated
that more Special Forces personnel will be deployed to Iraq.
Highlighting the fractured state of the Iraqi government,
Shi’ite militias have vowed
to fight any American deployed in Iraq. Although the American troops
would have Baghdad’s permission to be in Iraq, the Shi’ite militiamen, many
loyal to Iran, operate well outside the law.