Iraq suffers deadliest month in two years

Bombers and gunmen have killed at least 56 Iraqis in more than two dozen attacks across the country, mostly targeting security forces.

The attacks on Wednesday made August the deadliest month for Iraqi policemen and soldiers in two years, and came a day after the US declared the number of its troops had fallen to fewer than 50,000, their lowest level since the war began in 2003.

Powerful blasts targeting security forces struck where they are supposed to be the safest, turning police stations into rubble and bringing down concrete walls erected to protect them from insurgents.

Iraq’s foreign minister said insurgents are attempting to sow as much chaos as possible, as lawmakers struggle to form a new government and Americans withdraw troops.