Oct. 15, 2010 (United Press International) -- Iraqi security officials say insurgents have been targeting the police and military in recent months, with even traffic officers being killed and maimed.
The weapons of choice are bombs attached to cars with magnets, and handguns equipped with silencers, investigators say.
"More than 35 of my colleagues have been killed recently," Louay Shehab, a traffic officer in Karrada, told The Guardian. "They have been killed by these sticky bombs and by pistols with silencers."
Shehab said the "situation is critical. It's 2007 again."
The Guardian said the number of violent deaths has risen sharply, approaching those of 2006 and 2007, when the insurgency was at its height. But fewer of the dead and injured are civilians.
Maj. Gen. Sabah al-Shebli, who heads the major crimes unit, says he thinks the bombers are mostly al-Qaida. He said other groups may be involved, including Shiite militias.
Gen. Hussein Kamal, director of intelligence in the interior ministry, says he believes the killings are being carried out by Baath Party loyalists.
"People fear lawlessness," he said. "They don't fear widespread sectarianism for now, but they do fear that they won't be safe in their homes from criminals."
