Baghdad attacks higher since security crackdown

WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) Insurgent attacks in Baghdad have risen despite a recent security crackdown that added thousands of troops and new checkpoints to the streets of Iraq's capital, a US commander said today.

''I think since we have started Operation Together Forward, you'll find that the number of attacks are going up,'' Army Col.

Jeffrey Snow told reporters on a videoconference from Baghdad, referring to the security crackdown.

Snow could not provide statistics on the increase in attacks. He said steps to tell the Iraqi people about new security measures kept insurgents informed of the military's plans.

He said he was not surprised at the increase in attacks.

''As we populated and put additional patrols, both dismounted and mounted, into neighborhoods ... and we increased the number of checkpoints, we expected that there would be an increase in the number of attacks,'' Snow said. ''And that is precisely what's happened.'' ''I believe that these attacks are going to go down over time. So I remain optimistic,'' he said.

Baghdad remains one of the more dangerous areas of Iraq. Its residents are subject to dusk-to-dawn curfews and lawlessness has not diminished.

REUTERS HS RAI2129