U.S. wounded rate in Iraq down in 2005

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- While the death rate of U.S. troops in Iraq held steady in 2005, the number of forces wounded fell by 26 percent, the Defense Department reports.

Pentagon figures show 844 U.S. troops were killed in the Iraq war during 2005, compared with 845 in 2004.

However, the number of wounded dropped from 7,990 in 2004 to 5,939, USA Today reported Monday.

Army Lt. Gen. John Vines, commander of multinational forces in Iraq, said that violence has ebbed some because some of the Sunni Arabs who make up the backbone of the insurgency decided to participate in last month's elections.

Army Maj. Gen. William Webster, the commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, said the number of suicide car bombs and roadside bombs also fell by half during 2005.