The Iraqi death toll “from sectarian attacks around the country is running nearly double the pace from a year ago.” Compared to an average daily death toll of 33 in 2006, this year’s numbers indicate approximately 62 Iraqis have died war-related deaths each day this year. The AP reports that the recent bloodshed indicates the insurgency has drifted into northern parts of Iraq as a result of the escalation in Baghdad.
UPDATE: Meanwhile, Brookings analyst Michael O’Hanlon writes today, “the trends [of Iraqi deaths] are moving significantly in the right direction, and the military is now doing a better job of measuring actual casualty levels.” The AP states the military has “offered no statistics to back” its claim that violence levels are down.
UPDATE II: Matthew Yglesias has more. And Kevin Drum.
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