Iraqi cities have endured a new wave of deadly bombings leaving hundreds of people dead. Meanwhile, a top US commander in Iraq warns that the troop withdrawal could be delayed beyond the deadline as long as al-Qaida retains active and presence there. Scott Pruett has the story.

A US soldier aims his gun during an operation against anti-Qaeda militiamen in Baghdad's Fadel district. President Barack Obama said he would not speed up troop withdrawals from Iraq, arguing the country was "moving in the right direction" but still needed US help. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

A new wave of deadly bombings in Iraq has raised concerns about US President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw combat troops by the end of June.

Within a week, five US soldiers were killed in the largest single loss of American life in Iraq. A 6th US soldier was also killed by a roadside bomb in the latest round of violence.

Although the death toll of US troops in Iraq is relatively low, the local death toll is creeping upward. The media has called the recent violence the "bloody week".

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki described the recent wave of car bombings as a gift from the disabled Baath Party on the ill omen of its anniversary.

Maliki also says the followers of the destroyed regime are trying to stir up sectarian unrest and instability in Iraq.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has emphasized that the US troops withdrawal from Iraq must be done in a responsible way and avoid Iraq's collapse into violence.

US top commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, warned in an interview that the US troops withdrawal could be delayed beyond the deadline of June, 30th.

However, Odierno also expressed his confidence that overall timetable for the US troops pullout would still be met.

(CCTV April 14, 2009)