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String of Violence Tests Iraqi Forces

   VOA News 25 August 2010
   An Iraqi policeman walks past a destroyed car at the site of a bombing
   in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 25 Aug 2010

Photo: AP

   An Iraqi policeman walks past a destroyed car at the site of a bombing
   in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 25 Aug 2010

   Wednesday's  string  of attacks in Iraq is part of a surge of violence
   that  has  hit the country in the last month as U.S. troops complete a
   drawdown in their seven-year combat operation.
   Increased  insurgent  attacks  on Iraqi security forces and government
   buildings  have  killed  more  than  700 people since the beginning of
   July.   The July death toll of 563 was Iraq's highest since a wave of
   sectarian violence in May 2008.
   These numbers have raised concern about the ability of Iraqi forces to
   fight  insurgents on their own. Recent attempts to strengthen security
   forces have been hindered by attackers.
   One of the most deadly attacks came on August 17 when a suicide bomber
   targeted  an  army  recruitment center. At least 59 people were killed
   and 125 wounded. Â
   Meanwhile, Iraqi politicians have been unable to form a new government
   after  inconclusive  elections  more  than  five  months ago. The main
   political  parties  pushed back talks on forming a new government last
   week, putting a further delay on a resolution of the impasse.

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   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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