BAGHDAD -- The number of killings in the Iraqi capital escalated last week despite an American-led crackdown, with morgue workers receiving as many bodies as they had during the first three weeks of August combined.
At least 334 people, including 23 women, were slain in Baghdad Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, according to morgue figures provided by Ministry of Health officials. Most of the victims were kidnapped, tortured, hogtied and shot.
During the week, at least 394 other people were killed around Iraq in other types of violence, including bombings, mortar attacks and gunfights, Iraqi authorities said.
The spike in violence followed an announcement by U.S. and Iraqi officials at the beginning of the week that the number of killings in the capital had fallen dramatically during August, from more than 1,800 in July. Although August as a whole was less violent than the month before, last week's killings suggested that death squads are still able to move about Baghdad despite checkpoints and curfews.
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