Pentagon report: Iraq violence reaches record levels

Source: Xinhuanet | 12-19-2006 16:05

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Violence in Iraq reached the highest levels on record this autumn, fueled by sectarian strife that is propelling the nation toward civil war, the Pentagon said in a report released here Monday.

Between mid-August and mid-November, attack levels in Iraq reached record highs in all categories as the number of U.S.-led coalition casualties surged 32 percent and the number of weekly attacks rose 22 percent nationwide, compared with those of the previous three months, according to the report.

The report, mandated by the Congress, described vividly how U.S. and Iraqi operations to quell violence in Baghdad ultimately failed, with attacks dipping in August before rebounding in September as the so-called "death squads" adapted to the increased presence of U.S. and Iraqi troops.

Meanwhile, Iraqi public fears of civil war are growing and confidence in the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki dropped significantly as Maliki's efforts at political reconciliation have shown "little progress," it said.

Titled "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq," the 49-page report is issued quarterly and compiled by the Pentagon under congressional requirements.

It also found that Iraqi civilian casualties rose 60 percent following the formation of the Maliki government in May.

Editor:Ji Xuewen