If this war is going to be won, some noncombatants are going to be killed. This is particularly true when the insurgencies prime tactic is surrounding themselves with civilians, especially women and children. At least those children not hired to toss grenades and carry ammunition.

In addition, knowing full well that their target audience of thundering media idiots in America will instantly assume that hospital officials in the center of the insurgent-occupied city of Fallujah are telling the complete truth, and that the U.S. military and Iraqi army are, of course, lying, they will play to that as well.

Yes, it's Islamist bullshit, specifically designed for the liberal American. Every dead insurgent, stripped of his weapons, becomes an instant civilian, probably long before he ever hits the hospital or morgue. Who could prove otherwise? It's not like they wear distinctive tattoos.

The only time the media grudgingly admitted to insurgent casualties was in the battle in the cemetery at Najaf, where they couldn't pretend that the hundreds of armed men among the tombstones just happened to be picnicking families.

The military press release can be found here.