Since Invasion: Basra child mortality 'is rising'

[BurtWorm]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4900174.stm

One Basra doctor said child mortality had risen by 30% since the invasion.

A US military internal report has described the overall situation in Basra as "serious".

The report defines "serious" as meaning an area:

* with "a government that is not fully formed or cannot serve the needs of its residents"

* where economic development is stagnant and unemployment is high

* where the security situation is marked by routine violence, assassinations and extremism

The US report notes that Basra sees a "high level of militia activity including infiltration of local security forces", while smuggling and crime continue unabated and "intimidation attacks and assassination" are common.