Q&A - Shifting tactics of Iraqi insurgents

REUTERS - Major bomb attacks against government buildings in the past 10 weeks introduced new tactics in the insurgency as Iraq emerges from wholesale sectarian slaughter and attempts to establish stability.

Likely carried out by al Qaeda or supporters of Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party, the Aug. 19 and Oct. 25 attacks on protected targets were aimed at undermining the Shi'ite-led government ahead of national polls in January, analysts say.

Here are some questions and answers on insurgent tactics:

HOW HAVE THE TACTICS OF THE INSURGENTS CHANGED?

The tactics of insurgents in Iraq have evolved.

While previously suicide bomb attacks attributed to Sunni Islamists were largely carried out against soft targets like mosques and markets, where the public gathered in numbers, the last two major attacks were against government buildings.

Counter-terrorism experts say insurgent tactics in Iraq follow a typical pattern of targeting that cycles between the security forces, the wider public and economic institutions and government facilities or personnel.

When one set of targets becomes too protected, or the public and government become inured and no longer shocked, a new set is selected. The aim is to keep the authorities guessing.