Insurgents unleash deadly attacks in Iraqi cities

A string of bombings in Iraqi cities – including one by a man with explosives strapped to his body – killed more than 60 people and wounded more than 100 today as US troops pushed on in an offensive aimed at followers of Iraq’s most-wanted terrorist.

This week’s offensive came amid a surge of deadly attacks after Iraq’s first democratically-elected government was announced on April 28. Insurgents are averaging about 70 attacks a day this month, up from 30-40 in February and March, said Lt Col Steven Boylan, a spokesman for US forces in Iraq.