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Surge in Iraq Violence Continues with 15 Killed in Baghdad
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=1426B3C:A6F02AD83191E1607608388221EE8F8C9574F7DCC14957C0 Bombings and
shootings in and around Baghdad targeted civilians, Iraqi soldiers and
police







An Iraqi walks past the site where a car bomb exploded at Kahtan
square in Baghdad's Yarmouk area, September 28, 2006Iraqi security
officials say a string of attacks in Baghdad killed at least 15 people
and wounded dozens of others Thursday.

Bombings and shootings in and around Baghdad targeted civilians, Iraqi
soldiers and police. Officials also reported finding more apparent
victims of sectarian death squads - some 40 bodies that all showed
signs of torture.

U.S. military intelligence officials warned that illegal militias are
returning to Baghdad neighborhoods recently cleared by American and
Iraqi troops, and in some cases local police are cooperating with the
militants.

On Wednesday, a U.S. military spokesman, Major General William
Caldwell, in Baghdad said that suicide attacks this week are at their
highest level in the war.

Separately, a poll conducted by an American university, the University
of Maryland, indicates about three-quarters of Iraqis believe the U.S.
military presence in Iraq is provoking more conflict than it is
preventing.

The poll also reported a rise in Iraqi public confidence in the
country's security forces.

Also Thursday, Iraq's Central Criminal Court announced convictions for
22 suspected insurgents, including some from Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and
France, for a range of crimes. The men were given sentences of one to
15 years in prison.

Since its establishment in April 2004, the Central Criminal Court has
reported holding more than 1,500 trials for suspected insurgents. The
court has announced some 1,300 convictions with sentences ranging up
to death.

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


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