BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- As Iraqis vote Sunday in parliamentary elections with increased security forces on the streets, Iraq's security situation still raises concern as the al-Qaida in Iraq network has threatened to prevent the voting "by all possible means, primarily, military means."
After U.S. troops toppled the government of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the reconstruction of Iraq has been coupled with attacks, kidnappings, assassinations and sectarian conflict.
In May 2006, Iraq formed its national unity government in a positive step towards political transition and national reconciliation. However, conflict between the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam and the Kurdish people in the north remain obstacles to achieving peace in the country.
In 2006, a series of major bombings prompted then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to declare Iraq "is in a state of civil war."
The second half of 2007 was the turing point. A U.S. troop increase improved security and, with a breakthrough in national reconciliation between the various political factions, the number of attacks began to fall. In August 2008, the United States and Iraq agreed that U.S. troops would withdraw by the end of 2011.
According to figures released late last year by the Iraqi government, civilian fatalities in attacks from 2004 to October 2008 stood at 85,700, and another 147,200 people were injured and more than 10,000 missing. The worst year was 2006, when 32,600 people died.
As the election drew near, violence grew in Iraq. According to the Interior Ministry, 196 people were killed in attacks in January, but the death toll rose sharply to 352 in February.
