Number of female suicide bombers increases

BAGHDAD, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. commanders say al-Qaida in Iraq has begun using an increasing number of women suicide bombers in a city where the organization's presence is still felt.

Coalition forces announced Wednesday Abu Karrar was killed by U.S. troops. U.S. defense officials say Karrar was a senior al-Qaida in Iraq intelligence leader and facilitator for the Diyala suicide-bombing network that increasingly included female suicide bombers, the Multinational Forces-Iraq reported.

The announced death of Karrar follows another recent operation when coalition forces captured Abu Sayf, who was allegedly the person responsible for setting up two of Baghdad's East Mansour neighborhood car-bomb attacks.

"Coalition soldiers and our Iraqi partners remain focused on protecting the people of Baghdad, and the investigation into these three criminals and their extremist networks is continuing," Navy Rear Adm. Gregory Smith said in a statement. "Our investigation into al-Qaida's use of women as suicide bombers and our efforts to mitigate this threat also continues."

Iraqi forces confronting a female suicide bomber in Baghdad's Rusafa market called out a warning to the suspect. She was able to move to a nearby store, however, where she detonated her bomb, killing three.

"While the progress has been significant, we all know Baghdad is not safe from al-Qaida and other extremists," Smith said. "There is still much work to be done to secure Baghdad from extremism."