Iraq report to show lower violence

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Violence in Iraq declined in the early part of this year, the Pentagon's upcoming report to Congress on the Iraq war will say, according to two Pentagon officials with knowledge of the contents.

The number of attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces and the number of U.S. military and civilian casualties are both lower than in previous periods, the quarterly report will show, the officials told CNN.

The report will cover events from mid-February to mid-May.

CNN reporting shows that 19 troops were killed in May, the lowest monthly total since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Eighteen U.S. troops have been killed to date in June.