NYT – As American combat troops have withdrawn from the country, it seems that the internecine violence continues relatively unabated, if not with greater intensity. The greatest test for Iraqi security forces will be issued over the next few months, as they have to confront increasing autonomy and responsibility accorded to them. The town at the heart of this story — Haditha — became notorious as the site of a 2005 massacre by US Marines of civilians, and this history could be the motivation for the gunmen choosing this site for their attack.