Violence ticked up slightly again today as at least 13 Iraqis were killed and 30 more were wounded. Anbar province was the worst hit region with several attacks targeting security forces in the Garma/Falluja/Zoba area. The single gravest attack occurred in Diyala province, however, when a bomb struck a civilian bus and left at least 13 casualties.

Five women were among the ten Iraqis killed today. They were murdered at home in Samarra. Another six Iraqis were wounded in the various attacks.

The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has released a set of casualty estimates that a deputy general for the office admits is “understated.” According to these figures at least 719 people, almost half of them Americans, were killed while working on reconstruction-related projects after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Twelve more militants were killed in clashes in Hadid.

Militants in a former al-Qaeda bastion in Diyala province were able to kill a dozen security personnel and bring down a helicopter during ongoing clashes. At least 21 Iraqis were killed and three more were wounded across the country.