BAGHDAD, Iraq -- America's pair top...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- America's pair top generals in the Middle East said Thursday a security operation in Baghdad was helping bridle violence after a surge of bombings and shootings in late months.

on the other hand the bloodshed persisted with three car bomb in Baghdad and a series of bombings and shootings across the abiding habitation killing at least 16 Iraqis and sum of two units U.S. soldiers on Thursday. Another U soldier was killed the previous day, the military said.

U authorities claim a joint American and Iraqi operation that began this month has improved security. The U military has said the operation, for which 12000 companys were redeployed to Baghdad, aims to bridle mostly sectarian warfare.

"I believe there is a danger of civil war in Iraq, moreover only a danger," Gen. John Abizaid, the top U commander in the Middle East, said after meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

Abizaid said he and Army Gen George Casey, the top U commander in Iraq, were "very optimistic that the situation will stabilize."

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