A wave of brazen attacks killed dozens of Iraqi soldiers, police and anti-Qaeda militiamen in recent days, but security forces say it pales in comparison with the worst years of violence in the country. At least 50 security forces personnel have been killed and 39 wounded in at least 19 separate shootings and bombings since July 31, and some security forces positions in Baghdad remain strikingly exposed to attack. Most of the violence targeted police or army patrols and checkpoints, though some attacks were against more heavily guarded facilities. Gunmen attempted to use bombs to breach a prison gate in Taji, north of Baghdad, on August 1, and employed similar tactics on the anti-terrorism directorate in the capital the day before, which the interior ministry said was an attempt to free inmates. While security forces were killed, the attackers apparently failed to free any of the detainees. Though there has been a heavy toll from the attacks, members of the security forces in Baghdad said they have been through worse.
