Lara Jakes / Associated Press – 2011-08-06 19:15:32

http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-07-30/news/29831990_1_iraq-violence-shiite-militias-iraq-in-two-years

BAGHDAD (July 30, 2011) — Frequent bombings, assassinations and a resurgence in violence by Shiite militias have made Iraq more dangerous now than it was just a year ago, a U.S. government watchdog concludes in a report being released today.

The findings come during what U.S. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen Jr. called “a summer of uncertainty” in Baghdad over whether American forces will stay past a year-end withdrawal deadline and continue military aid for the unstable nation.

“Iraq remains an extraordinarily dangerous place to work,” Bowen concluded in his 172-page quarterly report to Congress and the Obama administration on progress — and setbacks — in Iraq. “It is less safe, in my judgment, than 12 months ago.”

The report cited the deaths of 15 U.S. soldiers in June, the bloodiest month for the U.S. military in Iraq in two years. Nearly all of them were killed in attacks by Shiite militias bent on forcing out American troops on schedule.

It also noted an increase in rockets launched against the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, where government offices and foreign embassies are located, as well as constant assassination attempts against Iraqi political leaders, security forces and judges.

Bowen accused the U.S. military of glossing over Iraq’s instability, noting a statement in late May by the U.S. military that described Iraq’s security trends as “very, very positive.” In contrast, Bowen talked of “the very real fragility” of national security in Iraq and compared the current situation to the days of 2007, when the country was on the brink of civil war.

A spokesman for the U.S. military in Iraq declined to respond.

Baghdad and Washington are negotiating whether to keep the U.S. military in Iraq beyond the December deadline.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says the decision ultimately will be put to parliament. While many officials from both nations believe Iraq is still too unstable to protect itself without U.S. help, keeping a large presence of American troops may be difficult to sell to an Iraqi public tired of eight years of war.

Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.