Good News from Iraq?

I'm not sure this story makes sense, but here's the lead:

U.S. generals: Baghdad Violence Curbed

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A security operation was helping to curb an increase in violence in Baghdad in recent months after a surge of bombings and shootings, America's two top generals in the Middle East said.

Still, there was more violence Thursday, with three car bombs in Baghdad and a series of bombings and shootings across the country that killed 16 Iraqis and two U.S. soldiers. Another U.S. soldier was killed Wednesday, the military said.

On Friday, a police officer was killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, police Capt. Laith Mohammed said.

U.S. authorities attributed the reported improved security situation in the city to a joint American and Iraqi operation to deal with violence in the capital. The U.S. military has said the operation, for which 12,000 troops were redeployed to Baghdad, aims at curbing mostly sectarian warfare.

This security initiative has been going since the formation of the permanent government, hasn't it? Or are they contending that a single new Stryker Brigade was enough to significantly decrease violence? They're essentially saying that a 15% decrease in deaths this month is a huge achievement. It's definitely good news, but is it real? I pray that it isn't a temporary (or hallucinatory) gain, because that would be genuinely good for America and the region. Excuse me, however, if I don't hold my breath. There's an ample track record from the Bush Administration to justify some skepticism.