Violence spikes in Iraq
12/03/2008 16:42  - (SA)  

Deadly day for US troops Poll won't influence troops 'Al-Qaeda planning big attack' Iraq war will cost $3 trillion US: Surge in attacks not a trend

Ryan Lenz

Baghdad - Violence appeared on the rise in Iraq after a day that saw at least 42 people die - numbers that cast in doubt the easing of sectarian deaths that followed a surge of US forces to the country last year.

The sudden spike comes in the wake of a 60% drop in attacks across the country since June, according to US military figures.

Military spokesperson Gregory Smith said on Sunday that recent violence should not be taken as evidence of "an increase or a trend of an increase".

"I think we need to continue to look at historically what has happened over the last year to really put in perspective a one-week or two-weeks' worth of activity inside Baghdad," Smith said.

Most civilian deaths over the last year were the result of sectarian violence across the country, but the Iraqi government on Wednesday announced a committee formed to explore ways citizens could sue US forces involved in "unjustified killings", according to the prime minister's office.

The US military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

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