4 killed in bombings in Iraq

The first bomb exploded near a security patrol in the western city of Ramadi, killing one policeman and wounding seven people. Hours later, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a security checkpoint in Baghdad, killing three people — including two policemen — and wounding nine more.

Police and hospital officials in both Ramadi and Baghdad confirmed the casualty figures. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Violence has dropped across Iraq since the days when the country teetered on the brink of civil war just a few years ago, but deadly attacks still happen nearly every day. Insurgents launch frequent attacks on Shiites and security forces loyal to the Shiite-led government in an attempt to revive sectarian fighting in the country.

The U.S. Embassy's $500 million police training program has been touted as one of the main efforts to continue supporting Iraqi security forces in the wake of the American military's withdrawal last December.

A recent report by U.S. government auditors found that the Police Development Program is the embassy's most expensive initiative with Iraq. Last month, the embassy reported to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction that it was withdrawing American advisers from the Baghdad Police College.