Due to the Ramadan holiday, fewer attacks were reported; however, at least one policeman was killed and 18 others were wounded in two separate attacks. Meanwhile, experts in Germany claim to have seen evidence of chemical weapons use by the Turkish military on Kurdish rebels.
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in light violence. Shi’ite Iraqis began Ramadan fasting today. Also, the U.S. wants Iraq to increase its share of aid to victims of U.S. combat operations.
At least 21 Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded as Ramadan began for Sunni Muslims. Meanwhile, Iraq’s top army officer, Lieutenant General Babakar Zebari, warned that the U.S. pullout is premature and asked politicians to find a way to fill the void after 2011. Ideally, he wants American troops to stay until 2020. Outgoing Ambassador Christopher Hill, however, is more hopeful and thinks the political deadlock over the premiership might break soon.
At least nine Iraqis were killed 40 more were wounded in new attacks. The attacks focused mostly in and near southern Baghdad. Meanwhile, Sunni Muslims are awaiting the sighting of the moon this evening, which will mark the start of Ramadan. In Baghdad, three bombs exploded on Eshreen Street in the Bayaa neighborhood, killing three …
Continue reading “Tuesday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 40 Wounded”
Updated at 9:05 p.m. Aug. 9, 2010
After a bloody pair of days, violence subsided somewhat, but at least seven Iraqis were killed and 34 were wounded in the latest attacks. Ramadan will likely begin for Sunnis tomorrow night and on Wednesday night for Shi’ite Muslims, depending on the sighting of the moon. The holiday has seen a surge in violence in the past and increased attacks are expected this year.
Although Anbar province took the brunt of today’s attacks, Baghdad and Mosul also saw a surge in violence. At least 40 Iraqis were killed and 109 more were wounded in those and a few other attacks. An American soldier died of unknown causes in Babel province as well. Meanwhile, the death toll in yesterday’s massive triple bombing in Basra rose to 43 dead; about 185 others were wounded.
Updated at 4:41 p.m. EDT, Aug. 8, 2010
Explosions of an unknown source left casualties in Basra where police were already expecting large demonstrations. At least 66 Iraqis were killed and 237 more were wounded there and elsewhere. Meanwhile, U.S. forces have officially handed over control of combat operations to their Iraqi counterparts. Also, British special forces are under investigation prisoner abuse.
Updated at 8:20 p.m. EDT, Aug. 6, 2010
A rash of attacks in Baghdad today highlighted a trend towards attacking vulnerable traffic policemen. At least seven Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded in those and other attacks In Baghdad. Meanwhile, al-Qaeda is offering to pay Sunnis to return fighting alongside them against the government. Also, the U.N. is reporting that 25 percent of Iraqis live below the poverty line and 30 percent are unemployed.
At least 15 Iraqis were killed and 16 others were wounded in new attacks. lso, the United Nation’s assistance mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has renewed its mandate for another year. The U.N. is concerned that the political impasse will be exploited by those opposed to the government.
Only one Iraqi was killed and two more were injured in unusually light violence. Meanwhile, during a speech to the Security Council, U.N. envoy to Iraq, Ad Melkert, warned that the political deadlock is harming infrastructure and services in the fragile country.
