Though an Iraq pullout plan has been outlined, withdrawing a predicted 12,000 troops in the next 6 months, an attack today which killed at least 28 and wounded around another 60 has raised doubts about whether the country is ready.

The attack, which was carried out by a motorcycle mounted bomber, is the most severe suicide bombing in over a month in Iraq. Though incidents have reduced in number dramatically over the past few years, they are still common place throughout the country: Baghdad alone sees violent attacks daily. The victims were assembled outside of a police academy on Palestine Street, Iraqi police officials say.

It is speculated that the attacker drove the motorcycle into the crowd of people: primarily police recruits, officers on duty, and civilians, before detonating a belt of explosives. The police academy hit is one of many working to train a domestic military force to better facilitate the US troop withdrawal this year; insurgents have been targeting such locations relentlessly, and security measures have been heightened as best as possible.

The academy on Palestine Street was attacked in December 2008, killing 15 and injuring 45, and in 2005 by two suicide bombers who claimed the lives of 40 at the time. Since these attacks, security checkpoints have been established, but the level of traffic in the area is difficult to police, reporters in the area have observed.

The projected Iraq pullout plan sparked criticism from both sides, some claiming it too fast; others too slow.

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