Why do US Deaths In Iraq Drop Off In The Spring Each Year?

[ThomWV]

http://icasualties.org/oif/

Go back and take a look at the period around February,March, and April each year and you may notice that the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq drops off noticeably compared to other months. Every year, same thing. It makes one wonder why - weather? - and I have no idea what is going on. You got any ideas?

[NMDemDist2]

1. the insurgents have to plant their fields for this year's crop of food?

:shrug:

[kenny blankenship]

2. In the springtime a young jihadi's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love

"Suicide bomber" wouldn't fit on the subject line. Anyway, a bird in the hand is more like a sure thing than 72 virgins supposedly waiting for you in Paradise--who probably stopped waiting a long time ago, if you get my drift.

[catmandu57]

3. Weather would be my guess

I've noticed that also. I think they have alot of dust storms alternating with rain and cold.
Right now though, I think they are busy killing each other, the occaisional american is a throw in.

[TayTay]

4. Because Iraq is involved in near-civil war

and the US has restricted it's troops to staying away from the worst of the areas with the resulting drop in casualties. The US is trying not to go into the areas that are the most enflamed and stirring up more trouble. When the US troops are not out in the field, casualty counts go down.

It might also, once again, beg the question: What the hell are we doing there? We can't prevent civil war and we can't protect the populace. We can only not engage with civilians. What are we doing there?

[Teaser]

5. Weather/farming

Spring weather is wetter.

Also many insurgents are probably also subsistence farmers (the lower ranks anyway...the upper levels are Baath army colonels). It's getting near planting time.

[Fleshdancer]

6. are there any religious reasons?

If not, my bet would be on weather.