( dpa )- At least 140 people were killed and 200 wounded in separate attacks in Baghdad throughout February, recording the highest death causalities since January 2008, security and medical sources said.
In the deadliest attacks in the Iraqi capital in six months, twin blasts carried out by two mentally retarded female suicide bombers tore through Baghdad's pet and bird markets, killing at least 69 people and wounding 180, security sources said.
In another major incident, 14 policemen were killed while foiling suicide attempts in at the interior ministry.
Scores were killed in bombings by militants targeting Iraq's press union chief Shehab al-Tamimi and Shiite visitors commemorating the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of the prophet Mohammed.
The noticeable increase in violent attacks met the first anniversary of a security offensive imposed in Baghdad, codenamed Law Enforcement on February 14.