Iraq's civilian death toll rises in August

BAGHDAD — Newly released statistics for Iraqi civilian deaths in August reflect the strikingly mixed security picture that has emerged from a gradual six-month increase in U.S. troop strength here: the number of deaths across the country rose by about 20 percent since July, but in the capital itself, the number dropped sharply.

The figures, provided by Interior Ministry officials on Saturday, appeared to mirror the geographic pattern of the troop increase, which is focused on Baghdad.

The national rise in mortality is partly a result of the enormous death toll in a truck-bomb attack in August north of Baghdad, outside the areas directly affected by the additional troops. More than 500 members of a small religious minority called the Yazidis died in the Aug. 14 bombing in the north, according to figures collected by the Iraqi Red Crescent Society.

Figures provided by an Interior Ministry official indicated that 2,318 civilians died violently in the country in August, compared with 1,980 in July.

Statistics compiled from Iraqi government sources by Reuters and The Associated Press also showed significant increases, although the precise figures varied. But the figures provided by the Interior Ministry official show a drop in deaths within Baghdad, to 656 in August from 896 in July.

The top American commander, Gen. David Petraeus, is expected to cite security improvements when he and Ambassador Ryan Crocker submit reports on progress toward stability and national reconciliation to Congress during the week of Sept. 10.

Crocker predicted Saturday there will be no "fundamental or quick change" in the American policy on Iraq.

Deaths went down in Baghdad during August in part due to a strict vehicle ban imposed on the city during a major Shiite religious ceremony. Violence dropped dramatically during the Aug. 8-12 ban.

Although American forces have been successful in curbing major suicide bombings, stopping small-scale atrocities has proved more challenging.

On Saturday, gunmen stormed a house in the Dora district, seizing three women and a man. The gunmen killed two of the women and fled with the two other victims, a policeman said.

Gunmen also killed an aide to Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the southern city of Basra, police said Saturday, the latest in a string of attacks targeting associates of Iraq's leading Shiite cleric.

The shooting, which took place Friday night, was a sign of continuing tensions following clashes between Shiite militias last week. Police said Muslim Battat, an imam and preacher, was killed after evening prayers at a central Basra mosque.

In London, the Sunday Times reported today that British forces could hand over responsibility for the southern Iraqi city of Basra as early as next month, citing unnamed government sources.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has consistently refused to set a timetable for the withdrawal of British troops from the country, but said a decision could be announced when Parliament returns from its summer break in October.

Following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Britain controlled security across southern Iraq, but has since handed over three of four provinces to Iraqi forces.

The U.S. command also expressed hope Saturday that an order by powerful Shiite militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr that his Mahdi Army fighters stand down for up to six months would curb attacks on civilians and allow American troops to step up the fight against al-Qaida.

Sunni Arab leaders have accused the Mahdi Army of massacring thousands of Sunnis during the past three years and driving tens of thousands of others from their homes.

Many Shiites see the militia as their best protection against Sunni extremists, including al-Qaida, which have carried out similar attacks on Shiites.

However, Mahdi's credibility has been shaken by allegations of extortion, murder, robbery and other crimes. The U.S. maintains that some breakaway factions are receiving weapons, training and money from Iran, a charge the Iranians deny.

Information from the Los Angeles Times is included in this report.