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Scores of bodies found in Baghdad | Scores of bodies found in Baghdad |
(30 minutes later) | |
Baghdad police say they have found 83 bodies, some showing signs of torture, in various locations around the city in the past 36 hours. | |
The fresh killings came as the US said seven more US soldiers had died, and that troops had killed 13 insurgents. | The fresh killings came as the US said seven more US soldiers had died, and that troops had killed 13 insurgents. |
The Iraqi army has cancelled all leave and put troops on alert ahead of the verdict expected on Sunday in the trial of former leader Saddam Hussein. | The Iraqi army has cancelled all leave and put troops on alert ahead of the verdict expected on Sunday in the trial of former leader Saddam Hussein. |
Defence lawyers have warned of violence if he is sentenced to death. | Defence lawyers have warned of violence if he is sentenced to death. |
The discovery of 56 bodies between Thursday and Friday mornings is the biggest in 24 hours since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ended. | The discovery of 56 bodies between Thursday and Friday mornings is the biggest in 24 hours since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ended. |
Another 27 were found during Friday. | Another 27 were found during Friday. |
Correspondents say some were probably victims of sectarian attacks, while others could have been targeted by criminal gangs seeking ransoms. | Correspondents say some were probably victims of sectarian attacks, while others could have been targeted by criminal gangs seeking ransoms. |
The 56 dead were all men, estimated to be aged between 20 and 45, police Lt Mohammed Khayon told the Associated Press. | The 56 dead were all men, estimated to be aged between 20 and 45, police Lt Mohammed Khayon told the Associated Press. |
They were all dressed in civilian clothing and found with their hands and feet bound, Lt Khayon added, saying that none of the men had yet been identified. | They were all dressed in civilian clothing and found with their hands and feet bound, Lt Khayon added, saying that none of the men had yet been identified. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
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US casualty figures have continued to rise in Iraq, following the deaths of more than 100 troops in October in one of the US's bloodiest months in Iraq. | US casualty figures have continued to rise in Iraq, following the deaths of more than 100 troops in October in one of the US's bloodiest months in Iraq. |
Three soldiers were killed on Thursday in Baghdad when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. | Three soldiers were killed on Thursday in Baghdad when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. |
Full month-by-month figures The same day, three soldiers were killed in the western Anbar province and another died "due to non-combat causes", the US military said. | Full month-by-month figures The same day, three soldiers were killed in the western Anbar province and another died "due to non-combat causes", the US military said. |
The US military said troops had killed 13 insurgents during a raid involving both air and ground forces in Mahmoudiya, 30km (20 miles) south of Baghdad. | The US military said troops had killed 13 insurgents during a raid involving both air and ground forces in Mahmoudiya, 30km (20 miles) south of Baghdad. |
It was carried out after intelligence suggested an al-Qaeda-linked suspect was hiding in a house, the military said in a statement. | It was carried out after intelligence suggested an al-Qaeda-linked suspect was hiding in a house, the military said in a statement. |
Five people were killed inside the building, including a man wearing an explosive vest, and eight were killed as they fled the area, the statement said. | Five people were killed inside the building, including a man wearing an explosive vest, and eight were killed as they fled the area, the statement said. |
Explosives and hand grenades were found in a search of the area, the military added. | Explosives and hand grenades were found in a search of the area, the military added. |
Verdict due | Verdict due |
The developments come as the Bush administration prepares for mid-term elections next week, in which correspondents say public frustration with US policy in Iraq is threatening to cause Republican losses. | The developments come as the Bush administration prepares for mid-term elections next week, in which correspondents say public frustration with US policy in Iraq is threatening to cause Republican losses. |
Two days before the election, the Iraqi High Tribunal, which has been trying Saddam for crimes against humanity, is expected to deliver its verdict. | Two days before the election, the Iraqi High Tribunal, which has been trying Saddam for crimes against humanity, is expected to deliver its verdict. |
Saddam Hussein and co-defendants are accused of ordering the deaths of 148 Shias in 1982 in the village of Dujail, following an assassination attempt on the former president. | Saddam Hussein and co-defendants are accused of ordering the deaths of 148 Shias in 1982 in the village of Dujail, following an assassination attempt on the former president. |
With a surge in violence during Ramadan, October was the fourth deadliest month for US troops since the US-led invasion in 2003. | With a surge in violence during Ramadan, October was the fourth deadliest month for US troops since the US-led invasion in 2003. |
Recent days have seen a number of public disagreements between US and Iraqi officials about attempts to improve security. | Recent days have seen a number of public disagreements between US and Iraqi officials about attempts to improve security. |
Mr Maliki has faced pressure to deliver on security, and take tougher action against sectarian militias. | Mr Maliki has faced pressure to deliver on security, and take tougher action against sectarian militias. |
He has blamed the Americans for the deteriorating situation, criticising the quality of equipment and training given to the Iraqi government forces. | He has blamed the Americans for the deteriorating situation, criticising the quality of equipment and training given to the Iraqi government forces. |