Total casualty rate in Iraq lowest in 2 years

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has reported the lowest casualty rate in Iraq in nearly two years.

Officials said the casualty rate in Iraq dropped significantly in January 2006. They said that for most of the month, the casualty rate was the lowest since early 2004.

"In January, there were 19 days where the number of casualties were lower than 50," Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, said. "And that's the lowest rate we've seen since the spring of '04." Read on.