Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

Iraqi Shi'ites chant slogans during a demonstration near the Imam Hussein shrine in the holy city of Kerbala, 110 km (70 miles) south of Baghdad June 13, 2007. Hundreds of Shi'ite residents in Kerbala held a rally protesting the latest bomb attack on Samarra's Golden Mosque shrine.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    WASHINGTON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Violence in Iraq was on the rise despite the U.S. military buildup this year designed to help quell escalating conflict in the war-ravaged country, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

    In its quarterly report to Congress, the Pentagon 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 U.S. soldiers in Iraq, and the number would rise to 160,000 when all the additional troops are in place.

    U.S. condemns bombing of Shiite shrine in Iraq

    WASHINGTON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States condemned Wednesday the bombing of the most revered Shiite shrine in the northern Iraqi city of Samarra, and urged Iraqis to unite to fight against extremists. Full story

    Iraq: explosion destroys Golden Dome minarets

    BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhuanet) -- One day after U.S. and Iraqi forces raided a suspected Sunni militia headquarters in northern Iraq, insurgents on Wednesday blew up the two minarets of the Golden Dome Shiite shrine in Samarra, police and a security official said. Full story