(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-10-26 16:28

At least 284 bullet-riddled bodies bearing the hallmarks of attacks by sectarian death squads have been found nationwide this month — 135 in Baghdad. That compared with 507 bodies found last month and a peak this year of 1,079 in January — 944 of those in Baghdad.

So far in October, Iraqis have been killed in war-related violence at an average of 30 a day. That's less than the nearly 34 a day in September, and far less than nearly 64 in August.

The AP tally is compiled from hospital, police and military officials, as well as accounts from reporters and photographers. Insurgent deaths are not included. Other counts differ and some have given higher civilian death tolls.

Al-Janabi's death, itself unremarkable in the litany of violence that faces Iraqis on a daily basis, was the latest example of continuing attacks by Shiite militiamen the US military claims are being armed and funded by Iran in defiance of al-Sadr's call.

The teacher's death also reinforced the dangers of crossing the increasingly stark sectarian boundaries in the capital.

Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army fought US troops for much of 2004 across central and southern Iraq. After a cease-fire, al-Sadr joined the political process and his loyalists now have 30 of parliament's 275 seats. But his control over the Mahdi Army appears to have frayed.

"Despite the improving security situation, there are still some militia groups that are trying to ignite sectarian strife and maintain the killing and the counter-killing between Shiite and Sunnis," said Salim Abdullah, a spokesman for the main Sunni political bloc, the Iraq Accordance Front.

On Wednesday, al-Sadr again appealed to his followers to uphold the cease-fire and threatened to expel those who don't, according to a statement issued by his office in response to questions from supporters about whether the order to stand down still applied.

US forces also appear to have escalated their campaign against what the military calls rogue militiamen, and clashes between Shiite groups are on the rise in parts of the mainly Shiite south.

"Enemy parties are spreading this news (that the cease-fire ended) to tarnish the image of this heroic ideological army that has shown loyalty to its leadership by implementing the freeze," al-Sadr said in the statement, emphasizing that some did observe the cease-fire.

"So, we appeal to everyone to obey the order in every respect or risk being expelled from this ... army in which there is no place for renegades."

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