Think Progress

IEDs account for 66 percent of soldier fatalities in Iraq.»

The AP reports that the daily number of IED attacks has increased six-fold since 2003. On one day in May, 101 of the 139 anti-U.S. attacks involved IEDs. IEDs now account for a vast majority of soldier casualties:

In the May-July period this year, the number of U.S. military deaths from IEDs soared to 203, accounting for 66 percent of all U.S. fatalities, according to the authoritative Web site icasualties.org, which tracks military casualties in Iraq.

Those numbers have climbed steadily from the same three-month period in 2004, when 54 Americans were killed by IEDs, 31 percent of total fatalities.

The Pentagon is spending $13 billion on the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) in an attempt to “defeat” IEDs.




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47 Responses to “IEDs account for 66 percent of soldier fatalities in Iraq.”

  1. Tobey Tall Says:

    Camps Offer Comfort to American Children
    Grieving for Parents Killed in War

    Look at this image of a girl crying because Daddy has been killed

    http://www.antiwar.com/photos/taps.jpg

    very touching


  2. Tom Says:

    Why are we thinking about this NOW? Didn’t the Bush administration figure they might be some bombs going off under our brave soldiers? Geez. they are considerthing this now, folks. not when the fighting started, 5+ years LATER…Excellent planning shooter /snark off


  3. Tobey Tall Says:

    Pawns of the War Party

    US-supported Kurdish “liberation” group, PJAK, has been very busy trying to provoke an open military conflict between Iran and the Americans. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.


  4. Liebermen for Lieberman Says:

    This JUST HAS to be the work of Iran. And Syria. And is Hugo Chavez sending the insurgents money now? Must be. Castro too. Bombs away!


  5. Zimzone Says:

    I think it’s time to drop ‘improvised’.

    Those making these devices know exactly what they’re doing & how to do it.

    OTOH, I’m in favor of calling the war an ‘Improvised Invasion’. Lack of planning, honesty, reality can only lead one to assume the effort has been improvised.


  6. J Lewd Says:

    $13 billion dollars spent on JIEDDO? Why not just spend the $13 billion dollars on suitable vehicle armor? Am I missing something here? Surely the solution can’t be that easy. . . .


  7. Snidely Whiplash Says:

    Rumsfeld was quoted as saying, “I don’t care. You go to war with the army you failed to properly equip. Fiddle-dee-dee. I don’t know these soldiers who are killed. None of their parents are members of my exclusive country club or sit on the Boards that I sit on. Golly gee!”


  8. Tom Says:

    Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

    Comment by Tobey Tall

    I agree 100%. They call that a war by proxy. Someone else starts the fight, and we have to step in. WWIII here we come. Oh, and another thing: if your children are about 15-16 right now, look for them in uniform when they are 17-18. They will be drafted and they will be sent to an unwinable war to appease the egos of some very rich old white men.


  9. VerbalKint Says:

    Troll reasoning:

    Reporting bad news = Celebrating bad news.

    I said it for you trolls, so shut up and crawl back under your slimy rocks.


  10. Tobey Tall Says:

    8/ starting already - Kurds Flee Homes as Iran Shells Villages in Iraq

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2152324,00.html


  11. Empire Burlesque Says:

    “… can only lead one to assume the effort has been improvised.”

    Comment by Zimzone — August 20, 2007 @ 3:51 pm

    Still a little too “polite”, Zimzone. Phrase like “cl*stef*ck” come mind at this point. Twiddle Dee, meet Twiddle Dum, and Twiddle Dumber…


  12. IEDscomefromlibsheroesinIran Says:

    TP actually completely misrepresented the point of the ASSociated Press article they even had the nerve to quote for this posting. By misrepresentation, TP can more efficiently hurt the US military effort, and that explains why they didn’t honestly highlight the big point in the AP article. According to Michael Mahoney, the operations chief for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (Pentagon division in charge of combating IEDs), the US has “done a fantastic job” as it concerns “defeating the device (IEDs).” But the soldier-hating traitiors at TP obviously refused to go with this significance when they posted this story, instead focusing on demoralizing US soldiers by highlighting their fatality rate. Additionally, all you progressive traitors had better desist with protecting Iran by refusing to have the US bomb some of their facilities. All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders.


  13. Tobey Tall Says:

    Iraqi Kurdish officials expressed deepening concern yesterday at an upsurge in fierce clashes between Kurdish guerrillas and Iranian forces in the remote border area of north-east Iraq, where Tehran has recently deployed thousands of Revolutionary Guards.


  14. Menehune Says:

    #6…the first 10 billion went just for coming up with the name for the taskforce, and then printing up sweatshirts for the JIEDDO softball team. Branding is everything, you know. They’ll get around to the armor thing after they redo the JIEDDO cafeteria.


  15. Tom Says:

    Additionally, all you progressive traitors had better desist with protecting Iran by refusing to have the US bomb some of their facilities. All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders.

    Comment by IEDscomefromlibsheroesinIran

    Nice try, troll. Nobody has provide any evidence (real evidence, anyway) that the IED’s are coming from Iran. Patreous doesn’t think so, and he has stated this publically. So, chickhawk, until an unbiased report or clear (read:not from bush) evidence emerges, we should not escalate the invasion by going into Iran (or Syria). We want proof before we kill innocent people. is that so hard to understand, chickenhawk?


  16. Tobey Tall Says:

    four days of intermittent shelling by Iranian forces had hit mountain villages high up on the Iraqi side of the border, wounding two women, destroying livestock and property, and displacing about 1,000 people from their homes.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2152324,00.html


  17. Art Says:

    #12 The point of the article is that the IEDs are evolving and the foe in Iraq is “proved to be quick learning and innovative.” And as for JIEDDO, he says its efforts “are not producing the effects desired.”

    “All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders.”

    What is the point here. Most of the guns used for killing US soldiers come exclusively from US manufacturers. Should we bomb the gun factories too?


  18. Zimzone Says:

    All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders. -Troll

    Wow. For a keyboard kommando you sure have an inside track to classified information.

    Do you get paid extra for making shit up?

    Empire Burlesque, agreed. I’m king of understatements, except when it comes to Trolls!


  19. trueblue Says:

    Tobey Tall,

    That picture is heartbreaking.


  20. Dan Says:

    Gen. Odierno said last month that 70% of the attacks that injured or killed US troops in July were from Shia militias - like the ones controlled or supported by the Shia majority in the Iraqi Government.

    And we are arming Sunni militia.

    And the Shia are killing each other in Basra.

    And 2 provincial governors (both Shia) killed in a month (out of 18 total provinces).


  21. DRxJ Says:

    Additionally, all you progressive traitors had better desist with protecting Iran by refusing to have the US bomb some of their facilities. All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders.

    Comment by IUDsmymommashouldhaveused — August 20, 2007 @ 3:55 pm

    Really? How so?


  22. Ben B Says:

    Look, this whole business with Iran is over some pretty serious stuff. We’ve been successful in the past at bringing down their government. We’re currently trying to destabilize their government. Maybe, just maybe, this plays a big part in why they don’t like us, and why we see them as a threat.

    As for IEDs coming from them? The evidence isn’t all there. But honestly, it hardly matters. Even if they were aiding in killing our troops, we’ve been far more aggressive toward them than they have been toward us, historically.

    How about we back our guys out of Iraq, and just let this situation settle….


  23. Snidely Whiplash Says:

    All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders.

    Didn’t Cheney and Rumsfeld have a hand in arming Saddam Hussein under Reagan and Bush 1’s administrations? Oh right. Yes they did.


  24. WaltTheMan Says:

    The August 20-27 issue of Newsweek has an article on IEDs.


  25. MapleStreet Says:

    And let us not forget the suggestions that the military isn’t issuing the correct armor, and not even letting the troops use (at their own expense) better protective equipment.

    Look at Dragon Skin body armor.

    Look at our refusal to use a proven technology in our vehicles to protect them because one of our war profiteers / oops campaign dona…… / oops defense contractors say that they will develop something better.

    Look at the early refusal to armor our vehicles.


  26. DRxJ Says:

    Makarios,
    I don’t know if you’re being sarcastic or not, but Tobey Tall should post that pic EACH AND EVERYTIME there is a thread regarding the occupation in Iraq.

    In fact, in should be posted next to any NEOCON troll that shows up here flingin’ it’s own administrative supporting, non serving, chickenhawk feces!

    END OF STORY!!!


  27. friend of Makarios Says:

    I don’t really give a fig personally about US soldiers who die. Those US soldiers voluntarily chose the profession of hired killers. They kill for thrills and money, not because they are defending their country. I care about civilians, especially children, of any nationality or religion. I realise, however, that most Americans are infected with racism and nationalism and care only about American deaths and then only white ones,


  28. Master Shake Says:

    Yeah, in retrospect we probably should have secured the tons of explosives that were at Al Qaqa in 04.


  29. bilbobaggins Says:

    And the military has known about a vehicle that can resist these explosions since we first invaded Iraq. And just now we are talking about having these vehicles in Iraq by the end of 2009. That must be so comforting to all the families who have lost loved ones to IED’s, knowing that their child’s death was due to the military trying to occupy Iraq on the cheap.


  30. bilbobaggins Says:

    “the US has “done a fantastic job” as it concerns “defeating the device (IEDs).”

    That must be a comfort to all the parents of children who died of an IED, especially knowing that there is an armored vehicle built to withstand the blasts that the military didn’t see fit to purchase until this year. And, the first vehicle will not be in Iraq until late 2009. So, how many more parents are going to be thrilled at the “fantastic job” we have done in “defeating the ied’s”.


  31. Mark @ News Corpse Says:

    DoD Press Briefing with Lt. Gen. Odierno on Ongoing Security Operations in Iraq

    “Attacks against civilians are at a six-month low, IED attacks are at a two-month decline and have a 45 percent found and cleared rate.”

    Gee, the General’s briefing is completely contradicted by reality. Makes you wonder why we should have any confidence at all when the next general tells us how well the surge is going.

    • Detox from Fox: Starve The Beast


  32. chad Says:

    Tob, are you just posting random sh!t again?

    All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders.-They need to be cut off at the source.

    Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 4:12 pm

    I find that fairly amusing that all the bombs conveniently say made in Iran. Iran is shia but think of themselves as Persian first and as shia second they do not cut along with the Arab shia in Iraq. Why would Iran be arming Iraq? I have a few friends from Iran and they already see the writing on the wall of the U.S. trying to make the terrorism connection when there isn’t one.


  33. gummitch Says:

    You do realize that there are many different groups of insurgents and Islamokillers in Iraq, and it is not just one, single, unitied “Iraq,” right?

    Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    What? No united Iraq? Wow, when did that happen?


  34. upside00 Says:

    What? No united Iraq? Wow, when did that happen?

    Comment by gummitch — August 20, 2007 @ 4:53 pm

    About the time that Codpiece Commander Guy Dubya announced “Mission Accomplished”.


  35. bilbobaggins Says:

    “All these IEDs killing soldiers come exclusively from Iranian tech smuggled across Iraqi borders.-They need to be cut off at the source.
    Comment by Makarios”

    Proof. Oh, you have none? “Don’t need no stinking proof, I know what I know and if you don’t like it tough shit.” The mantra of our resident trolls.


  36. J Lewd Says:

    #14: No doubt they also spent a billion on aluminum bats promoted by Ari Fleischer. . . .


  37. bilbobaggins Says:

    “Those US soldiers voluntarily chose the profession of hired killers. They kill for thrills and money, not because they are defending their country.”

    Troll plant alert. Another one sent here to post something incendary about our troops so that Billo can point to the post and show that TP is full of progressives who hate the troops.

    But this one is too tempting, so here’s my reaction.

    Oh really. If they were in it for the thrill and the money, they would not have joined our Military, they would have joined Blackwater.

    Go away troll…you are not welcome here.


  38. gummitch Says:

    Insurgents, funded by Iran, are struggling to destroy Iraq.

    Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 4:58 pm

    Is it really that simple inside that noggin of yours, Mr Pee?

    I thought Al Qaeda was responsible for all the insurgents, at least according to the squalling coming out of the White House. Yet, Al Qaeda is Sunni and certainly not getting any help from Iran.

    You’re so quick to swallow whatever Kool Aid is being handed out by the neocons. First it’s Baathists, then it’s Al Qaeda, then suddenly it’s Iran.

    Better hide under your bed.


  39. chad Says:

    You do realize that there are many different groups of insurgents and Islamokillers in Iraq, and it is not just one, single, unitied “Iraq,” right?

    Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

    Yes, I know this didn’t think I need to state obvious facts. Iran would not arm any Arabs as they do not get along never have. Persians do not get along with Arabs they would be more willing to fight arabs than support them. There is no support for your theory only a desire to further stretch an already depleted military and get more soldiers killed.


  40. gummitch Says:

    Fellas, I think y’all need to think about what you say before you say it. gummy, you completely disregarded the IEDs (you know, the topic of this thread) and instead began ranting about neocon kool-aid and what not. chad, you are hung up on idealized ethnic categories which, you seem to think, can be used to determine a priori the dynamics of a real conflict.

    Comment by Makarios — August 20, 2007 @ 5:26 pm

    Mr Pee, it was a response to your incredibly simplistic remark: “Insurgents, funded by Iran, are struggling to destroy Iraq.”

    Those are the IEDs that you wildly assert are produced by Iran. Others have asked you to provide evidence to support this. The kool-aid reference applies to this as well: your willingness to uncritically accept whatever the White House is currently trying to sell to the American people, and doing it as though it happened in a vacuum.

    Demonizing Iran is exactly how they pitched the current conflict, as something with HAVE to do or all manner of horror will result. Try to pay attention once in awhile.


  41. Craig Mack Says:

    #29 may be a troll, may not be, I dunno. (probbaly is) However, if the poster of that garbage would like to come to SOCAL and discuss his comments, I would LOVE to hear from him/her. Oh yeah, I’m one of those “thrill killers” they so eloquently described. Anxiously awaiting a response…..


  42. tom Says:

    I support GDumbya and his GWOIED (Global War on IEDs).


  43. Probus Says:

    The deaths from IEDs are too high a price for our troops to pay in Iraq. This war can’t be won militarily anymore. Even Bush, Petraeus and Rice have said this. With no political progress the surge has not achieved the goals Bush has set. The Iraqis also have paid a too high price in Iraq.


  44. Craig Mack Says:

    Mr. Pee, whoever the f*ck you are this week, zip it. You post by 26 different monickers, make claims about you numerous degrees and “super-smarts”, yet come off sounding like a 11 year old with ADD every time. Just stick to 1 name, be REAL about what you are, and go from there. It’s not often I actually post on here, but this crap is getting to be really annoying. Go get a refill on Cheetos and Mountain Dew, and finish watching Pokemon.


  45. osaidfu Says:

    Mr. Pee, whoever the f*ck you are this week, zip it. You post by 26 different monickers, make claims about you numerous degrees and “super-smarts”, yet come off sounding like a 11 year old with ADD every time. Just stick to 1 name, be REAL about what you are, and go from there. It’s not often I actually post on here, but this crap i


  46. osaidfu Says:

    polling


  47. Laura Linger Says:

    My brother was one of those 101 soldiers killed by an IED in May 2007.



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