An extraordinary number of attacks on checkpoints and other security targets occurred across central and northern Iraq today. Overall, at least 54 people were killed and 74 more were wounded.

Official figures from the Iraqi government showed a significant surge in casualties. The government found that 325 Iraqis were killed in July, while Antiwar.com counted about 545 deaths. Meanwhile, at least eight Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in new violence.

Today’s attacks focused on central Baghdad where coordinated bombings killed or wounded about 80 people near the Green Zone. To the north, gunmen targeted another journalist. Overall, at least 34 people were killed and 78 more were wounded.

Turkey has granted a resident permit to fugitive Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi in order to allow him to remain legally in the country. Meanwhile, at least five Iraqis were killed an eight more wounded.

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.

Violence tapered off dramatically today, but at least 13 Iraqis were reported killed and 25 more wounded.

At least 17 Iraqis were killed and 60 more were wounded in a third day of elevated violence. The holy month of Ramadan, which began late last week, was preceded by a short period of relative quiet.