http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/30/AR2006053001226.html50 Die in Rising Iraq Violence
'Multiple-Fatality' Bombings Reach Highest Level Since Invasion
By Nelson Hernandez and Saad al-Izzi
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 31, 2006; Page A13
BAGHDAD, May 30 -- A series of car bombings and other attacks killed more than 50 Iraqis and one U.S. soldier on Tuesday, evidence of a new intensity in the violence in Iraq and underlining the security problems facing the country's 10-day-old government.
In an indicator of rising violence, more "multiple-fatality" bombings -- involving at least three deaths -- occurred this month than in any other since the war began in 2003, according to the Brookings Institution, which issues a twice-weekly report of security and reconstruction statistics. The report this week noted 44 such bombings as of May 25; since then, that number has risen above 50. The next-worst month was September 2005, with 46.
U.S. commanders have warned for weeks that the country's Sunni Arab insurgent movement, which they say is led by the group al-Qaeda in Iraq, would unleash an all-out offensive to weaken the new government's authority and stoke hatred between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
Statistics indicate that violence has been escalating steadily for months, particularly since the bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra north of Baghdad on Feb. 22 kicked off a wave of sectarian killing. According to Brookings, there were 21 multiple-fatality bombings in December, when national elections were held for the new government. In January, there were 30; in February, 39; in March, 37, and in April, 40.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
