BAGHDAD — The U.S. military reported the deaths of nine soldiers Monday — including seven killed in a vehicle accident — and Iraq’s prime minister said the nation’s armed forces were not ready to fight without American help.
In western Baghdad, seven U.S. soldiers were killed in a vehicle accident that also claimed the lives of two detainees, the military said. Eleven soldiers from Multinational Division-Baghdad and one detainee were also injured in the west Baghdad accident, the military said without giving further details. The U.S. statement made no mention of hostile fire and did not specify the neighborhood.
Another U.S. soldier was killed and two were injured when their vehicle overturned east of the capital, the military said in a statement. The military also said a soldier died Sunday of wounds suffered in fighting near Kirkuk in northern Iraq.
U.S. troop deaths have risen to at least 3,772 in the 412-year war.
Also Monday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told Iraq’s parliament that the American military is still needed despite what he described as a sharp drop in violence in the Baghdad area since President Bush ordered nearly 30,000 extra troops to Iraq this year.
“We still need more efforts and time in order for our armed forces to be able to take over security in all Iraqi provinces from the multinational forces that helped us a great deal in fighting terrorism and outlaws,” al-Maliki said.
Al-Maliki, a Shiite, said violence had dropped 75 percent in the Baghdad area since stepped-up military operations began in the capital Feb. 14, although he offered no detailed figures.
A tally of civilian deaths compiled by the Associated Press showed a less dramatic drop in the Baghdad area — from 1,148 in February to 669 in August.
Also Monday, U.S. and Iraqi troops killed three civilians during a raid in Sadr City, police and residents said.
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