In a series of attacks across Iraq on Sunday, insurgents killed at least 47 people, including 5 soldiers. The violence largely occurred in Sunni Arab areas to the north of Baghdad.
Militants used a range of tactics including car and roadside bombs to inflict violence on civilians. The deadliest attack occurred in central Baquba, where a car bomb exploded near a housing complex, killing 11 people and wounding 34, reports Al Jazeera.
Another disturbing attack took place near the city of Mosul, where insurgents used the pretense of a fake security checkpoint to capture and kill five off-duty soldiers, according to the Associated Press.
Sunday’s events contribute to the general increase in violence in Iraq in recent months. Since the beginning of 2013, 3,600 Iraqis have been killed, according to the Global Post. More than 1,000 were killed in July alone, making it the deadliest month in five years.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s violence yet, Sunni insurgents are the likely culprits given their recent surge in violence against the Shi’ite government, notes Reuters.
Only 18 months after U.S. troops withdrew, recent instability and violence has led to fear that Iraq may return to civil war.