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Attacks at lowest level of the Iraq war

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Attacks by Iraqi insurgents fell in November to their lowest monthly level since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, despite recent high-profile bombings aimed at shaking public confidence, a top U.S. commander said Wednesday.

Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the No. 2 U.S. commander here, blamed Al Qaeda in Iraq for a spate of bombings that have killed nearly 50 people in Baghdad and elsewhere since Monday. Despite those blasts, attacks have declined 80% nationwide since March, Austin said.

At least 33 people were killed and dozens wounded Monday in multiple bombings targeting Iraqi security forces in Baghdad and Mosul. Fifteen more died in blasts Tuesday in the northern cities of Mosul and Tall Afar and in the central city of Iskandariya.

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One civilian was killed and five were wounded Wednesday when a bomb attached to a minibus went off as the vehicle was carrying Education Ministry employees to work in east Baghdad, police said.

“What you’ve seen in the last several days is an attempt by Al Qaeda [in Iraq] and others to conduct high-profile attempts that are really aimed at intimidating the civilian population” and drawing media attention, Austin told reporters.

Nevertheless, Austin said November “saw fewer attacks than any month” since the beginning of the war that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime. He gave no figures.

U.S. combat deaths also were down in November, falling to eight, one of the lowest monthly levels of the war. The drop suggests that extremists are focusing on Iraqi forces as the U.S. role is reduced.

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