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Iraq violence: State buildings targeted in attacks Iraq violence: State buildings targeted in attacks
(about 2 hours later)
Militants have tried to storm a police station and a council headquarters in Iraq as part of the latest wave of violence to hit the country.Militants have tried to storm a police station and a council headquarters in Iraq as part of the latest wave of violence to hit the country.
They were reported to have briefly taken hostages in a council building in Tikrit before it was retaken by security forces.They were reported to have briefly taken hostages in a council building in Tikrit before it was retaken by security forces.
At least 45 people were killed in a series of attacks across the country. At least 57 people were killed in a series of attacks across the country.
Violence in Iraq this year has reached a level not seen since 2008, raising fears of a return to civil war.Violence in Iraq this year has reached a level not seen since 2008, raising fears of a return to civil war.
The highest toll in Monday's violence was in the capital Baghdad, where at least 21 people died in a series of bomb blasts. The deadliest single attack on Monday came in the evening when two car bombs targeting Shia pilgrims killed at least 17 people in Rashid, a southern suburb of Baghdad.
A further 21 people died in a series of bomb blasts around the capital earlier in the day.
At least nine people were killed when militants tried to storm a police station in Baiji while another three died in the attack in Tikrit.At least nine people were killed when militants tried to storm a police station in Baiji while another three died in the attack in Tikrit.
Monday also saw a gun attack on a bus carrying Shia pilgrims in the northern city of Mosul which killed 12 people. A bus carrying Shia pilgrims in the northern city of Mosul was also targeted in a gun attack which killed 12 people.
Correspondents say the attacks show how insurgents are now targeting symbols of government authority on a near daily basis.Correspondents say the attacks show how insurgents are now targeting symbols of government authority on a near daily basis.
The UN has said the monthly death toll dropped to 659 in November, including 565 civilians and 94 members of the Iraqi security forces, compared with 979 in October.The UN has said the monthly death toll dropped to 659 in November, including 565 civilians and 94 members of the Iraqi security forces, compared with 979 in October.
But more than 7,150 civilians and 950 security forces personnel have now been killed since January, the highest annual toll since 2008.But more than 7,150 civilians and 950 security forces personnel have now been killed since January, the highest annual toll since 2008.