A look at violent deaths in Iraq, based on an Associated Press count. The total AP count includes Iraqi civilians, government officials and police and security forces, and is considered a minimum based on AP reporting. The actual number is likely higher, as many killings go unreported.

• DEATHS BY MONTH: May is the third-deadliest month for Iraqis since the AP began tracking civilian casualties in April 2005, with at least 2,077 killed as of May 30. The deadliest months in the past two years were December 2006, when at least 2,309 were killed, and November 2006, when at least 2,250 were killed.

• BODIES FOUND: The number of bodies found — usually attributed to sectarian death squads — dipped slightly in February 2007, immediately after the Baghdad security crackdown began Feb. 14, but has been steadily increasing in recent weeks. Since April 1, almost 1,900 bodies have been found across Iraq. At least 1,157 of these were found inside Baghdad, and 742 outside the capital.

• SECURITY PERSONNEL: The reported deaths each month for Iraqi security personnel, including soldiers and police, are creeping back up to surpass pre-crackdown levels after a relative low of 90 in January 2007. In May 2007, at least 237 security personnel have been reported killed, which is the most in any month since 275 were reported killed during July 2005.

• OUTSIDE BAGHDAD: Violent deaths outside Baghdad are also on the rise. In January 2007 there were at least 458 killed outside the capital, and there have been at least 952 deaths outside Baghdad during May 2007 — more than double the January tally.

• INSIDE BAGHDAD: The death total remains high, but has dropped slightly in comparison with the beginning of the year. In January 2007 there were at least 1,453 Iraqis reported killed in the capital, compared with at least 1,125 violent deaths in Baghdad during May 2007 — a decrease of 29 percent.

Information provided by AP's News Research Center.