By Xinhua
Washington : Violence in Iraq was on the rise despite the US military buildup this year designed to help quell escalating conflict in the war-ravaged country, the Pentagon report has said.
In its quarterly report to Congress, the Pentagon Wednesday said while violence dropped in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, and the western Anbar province, the number of violent incidents climbed in other parts of the country during the February-May period.
Bush announced early this year that more than 20,000 additional American troops would be sent to Iraq to crack down on violence in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad and Anbar province. The security operation started in mid-February, and the final contingent of the additional troops was scheduled to arrive this month.
Despite the increase in violence, including suicide attacks and roadside bombs, the Pentagon report on Iraq's security, political and economic developments said it was too soon to judge whether the security crackdown was working.
Attacks using explosively formed projectiles hit an all-time high in April, according to the report. "High-profile attacks, usually conducted by Al Qaida (in Iraq), are now causing more casualties in Baghdad than do murders by militia, criminals or other armed groups," the report said.
During the three-month period, more than 100 civilians in Iraq were killed daily on the average, compared with less than 60 a year ago, according to the report.
Currently there are about 155,000 US soldiers in Iraq, and the number would rise to 160,000 when all the additional troops are in place.