Eight killed in reminder of the daily violence in Iraq

TWO bombings and a drive-by shooting killed eight people yesterday, a reminder of Iraq’s ongoing instability on a day when President Barack Obama outlined progress toward the impending end of US military operations in the country.

The latest violence and government figures showing that July was the deadliest month for Iraqis in more than two years revived persistent questions about the readiness by Iraqi security forces to take over from the Americans as the US military draws down its forces and ends combat operations at the end of the month.

They also confirm the widely spread belief that insurgents are taking advantage of a political impasse over forming a new government after a March 7 parliamentary election failed to produce a clear winner.