Iraq's First Deputy Speaker of Council of Representatives Comments on Recent Violence

U.S. Army soldiers prepare to load up into CH-47 Chinook helicopters as they participate in a joint air assault operation planned and led by Iraqi army and police forces in the countryside east of Baghdad, Iraq, June 26, 2009. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. The joint search for weapons caches and insurgent activity was one of the largest air assault operations conducted in the Multinational Division Baghdad area since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. James Selesnick

From Voice Of America:

An increase in Iraqi violence continues to concern analysts who worry that insurgents are increasing their sectarian attacks. The latest was a car bomb Friday in Mosul that killed at least 50 Shi'ite pilgrims. Also on Friday, the first deputy speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives spoke at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, an independent institution set up to promote peaceful resolutions to international conflicts.

Friday was the second-deadliest day in Iraq since American forces withdrew in June, with more than 50 killed.

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Update: Round-up of Daily Violence in Iraq - Sunday 09 August 2009 -- McClatchy News

My Comment: The trend is not downward .... but upwards. It is still too early to ascertain that this will continue at its present rate .... but the Iraqis have every reason to be concerned. This is their fight now .... and they know it.