BAGHDAD, 3 March 2008 (IRIN) - Two major suicide attacks in February led to a sharp increase in violence-related civilian deaths that month - up by more than a third from the previous month, government figures showed on 2 March.

The figures, released by the interior, defence and health ministries, showed at least 633 civilians were killed or found dead nationwide compared to 466 in January. At least 701 civilians were wounded in February.

But the figures are still lower than the over 1,801 civilians killed, and 2,700 wounded, in February 2007.

Iraqi and US officials said a year-long security operation by the US military and Iraqi security forces had helped reduce violent incidents by at least 60 percent in the capital and nearby provinces.

Before the operation, dozens of dead bodies were being dumped every day in the streets, and explosions, kidnappings and other attacks were taking place almost everywhere.

Three factors

According to Nasser Omar Hassan, a Baghdad-based security analyst, three factors are widely credited with reducing violence in Iraq over the past six months: "First, an increase in US troop levels; second, a ceasefire by radical Shia leadet Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia; and third, the decision by tens of thousands of Sunni fighters to accept US funding and turn against al-Qaeda in Iraq."

"The statistics on casualties are considered low, and are based only on police reports [and] I do believe that the actual number is most likely higher, as many killings go unreported," he said.

Suicide bombers

On 1 February two female suicide bombers struck in two separate attacks on two pet markets in Baghdad, killing at least 99 civilians and wounding up to 200.

Iraqi officials said the suicide bombers were mentally disabled women with Downs Syndrome. They had 15kg of explosives strapped to them which were detonated by remote control.

On 24 February a suicide bomber blew himself up among Shia pilgrims taking a break during their day-long march to a shrine for a major religious gathering. The blast killed at least 60 people and wounded another 60, making it one of the deadliest this year.

The suicide bomber detonated his explosives' belt at a tent providing food and drinks to the pilgrims on the southern outskirts of Iskandariyah, about 50km south of Baghdad.

On 3 March a car bomb in Baghdad killed 15 and injured 35, according to the Iraqi police.

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