Bush claims violence in Iraq down to lowest level for four years

Friday, August 1, 2008 

Bush making the speech
Image: White House photo by Eric Draper.

George W. Bush, the current President of the United States yesterday claimed that the level of violence in Iraq has decreased to the lowest level since Spring 2004. In a speech made yesterday, Bush claimed that "Violence is down to its lowest level since the spring of 2004, and we're now in our third consecutive month with reduced violence levels holding steady." He then said that "a significant reason for this sustained progress is the success of the surge."

Bush also praised the security forces of Iraq. He cited their "increasing capability" as another reason for the reduction in violence. "We saw the capability of those forces earlier this year, when the Iraqi government launched successful military operations against Shia extremist groups in Basra, Amarah, and the Sadr City area of Baghdad," he said. "Because of these operations, extremists who once terrorized the citizens of these communities have been driven from their strongholds."

Listen to the speech in full
Audio: White House.

The President continued by stating that the Iraqi government has made progress. "Iraqi Council of Representatives has passed several major pieces of legislation this year, and Iraqi leaders are preparing for provincial elections," he said, listing ways in which he believed the Iraqi government have progressed.

Bush continued by discussing the withdrawal of troops:

The progress in Iraq has allowed us to continue our policy of ‘return on success.’ We now have brought home all five of the combat brigades and the three Marine units that were sent to Iraq as part of the surge. The last of these surge brigades returned home this month. And later this year, General Petraeus will present me his recommendations on future troop levels -- including further reductions in our combat forces as conditions permit.

Sources

• George W. Bush. "President Bush Discusses Iraq" — White House, July 31, 2008
• James Gerstenzang. "Bush touts security gains in Iraq" — Los Angeles Times, July 31, 2008