62 killed in attacks targeting Iraqi security forces

Ahmed Rasheed and Waleed Ibrahim Reuters 08/25/2010 19:00

Suicide bombers and other attackers killed at least 62 people in coordinated attacks on Iraqi security forces throughout the country Wednesday, less than a week before U.S. troops formally end combat operations.

The bombings also wounded more than 250 people, underscoring the fragility of Iraq's security and the uncertainty of its political situation more than five months after an election that produced no outright winner and as yet no new government.

The onslaught was launched a day after the U.S. military in Iraq cut its strength to under 50,000 as President Barack Obama, facing a war-weary American public, seeks to fulfill a pledge to end the war launched 7-1/2 years ago by his predecessor.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki blamed Sunni Islamist al Qaeda and former dictator Saddam Hussein's banned Baath party, and warned of more attacks as U.S. troops end their combat mission on August 31 ahead of a full withdrawal next year.

"It is necessary that our armed and security forces are at the highest levels of vigilance and cautiousness during this sensitive period of Iraq's history, and take all the required measures to protect the citizens and state institutions and fight terrorism strongly and firmly," he said in a statement.

The U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, Major General Stephen Lanza, called the attacks "desperate attempts" to undermine faith in the Iraqi security forces and a sign that al Qaeda was trying to reestablish itself after suffering many blows.

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