More than 55 dead, 200 injured in Violence across Iraq

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BAGHDAD, IRAQ (GaeaTimes.com) — On Wednesday, more than 55 people were killed in the attacks made by bombers and gunmen across the country. The attacks made August as the most deadliest month for Iraqi policemen and soldiers in last 2 years.

Powerful blasts targeting security forces truck where they are supposed to be the safest, turning police stations into rubble and bringing down concrete walls erected to protect them from insurgents. Atleast 265 security personnel- Iraqi military, police and police recruits, and bodyguards have been killed from June through August, compared to 180 killed in the previous five months, according to an Associated Press count.

According to Iraq’s foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari, terrorists are taking the advantage of the present political vacuum created by the govt paralysis dur to withdrawal of US troops from the country. Although all U.S. troops are due to leave Iraq by the end of 2011, some Iraqi officials - including the Defense Minister have said they might want U.S. troops to stay on longer. Today, Gen. Odierno said that’s something they would consider if they received a specific request from the Iraqi government.

It’s quite clear the Iraqi security forces have tremendously improved from the way it was two, three years ago. There are still some problems - with corruption. The real problem they have is not domestically, but an external threat from one of their neighbors. That’s an area where the U.S. could be of continuing assistance.