Baghdad sectarian killings at year low-US military

BAGHDAD, Feb 26 (Reuters) A US-Iraqi security crackdown in Baghdad has reduced sectarian killings to their lowest level in nearly a year and is hindering the movement of al Qaeda in the city, the US military said today.

In a statement, the US military said roadside bomb attacks had also fallen.

Commanders said the plan was still in its early days and would take time to have a major impact on halting violence that many fear could tip Iraq into all-out civil war between majority Shi'ites and minority Sunni Arabs.

''Even with ten days into the security plan, it's still too early to talk trends,'' said Brigadier-General John Campbell, deputy commanding general for manoeuvre for US forces in Baghdad.

''Still, Iraqi and coalition commanders at all levels remain cautiously optimistic.'' The statement said the reporting of sectarian killings was at its lowest level in almost a year.

This refers to sectarian death squads that have roamed the city since the bombing of a revered Shi'ite shrine in the town of Samarra in February 2006.

Before the security plan began, 40 to 50 bodies were found on Baghdad's streets every day, many bearing signs of torture.

hose killings have dropped, sometimes to as low as five a day.

But major bomb attacks continue. yesterday, a female suicide bomber wearing a vest packed with explosives killed 40 people at a Baghdad college.

The US statement added that the security plan -- which has poured thousands more troops onto the streets -- was frustrating al Qaeda's efforts to resupply its cells and was also hindering the militant group's movement throughout Baghdad.

REUTERS SHB PM1402