U.S. Says Iraqi Suicide Bombings Fell In November

(RFE/RL) 2 December 2005 -- The U.S. military says suicide bombings in Iraq fell in November to their lowest level in seven months, giving credit to recent U.S.-Iraqi military operations against insurgent and foreign fighter sanctuaries near the Syrian border.

But Major General Rick Lynch -- who made the announcement late on 1 December -- also said 85 U.S. troops died during the month, one of the highest tolls since the invasion.

Lynch reiterated warnings by U.S. and Iraqi authorities that insurgents will likely increase attacks with the approach of December 15 parliamentary elections.

Also on 1 December, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad demanded the immediate release of all hostages in Iraq. The statement came two days after four Western peace activists -- two Canadians, a Briton, and an American -- were shown in a videotape, in which their abductors accused them of being "spies."

(Reuters/AFP/AP)