As U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met with the two leading contenders for prime minister, several suicide bombers put a damper on the attempt to reconcile the politicians’ efforts to hasten the formation of the next government. At least 19 Iraqis were killed and 57 more were wounded across the country. Also, two U.S. soldiers were wounded when their convoy came across a roadside bomb.
Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced trip to Iraq to encourage officials to end an impasse preventing a new prime minister from taking office. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met Biden, but separately also met with a congressional committee to reassure them of progress in that selection. Also, at least four Iraqis were wounded in light violence.
Four Iraqis were killed and three more were wounded in light violence, but battles between Turkish troops and PKK rebels based in northern Iraq heated up.
Today’s attacks unsurprisingly targeted Awakening Council (Sahwa), security personnel and even a gold merchant as gunmen continue to stalk Iraq’s politically valuable targets. At least five Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded across the country. Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry released 198 inmates, mostly in Baghdad and Basra, over a lack of evidence against them.
At least 13 Iraqis were killed and 16 more were wounded in a string of small attacks. The worst, in Hit, involved a suicide bomber at a medial compound. Also, Ankara said the any issues with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) does not affect trade with Iraq.
At least 21 Iraqis were killed and 36 more were wounded in a string of attacks that targeted police and other officials. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Maliki met with his rival in talks that could break the political impasse that is fueling some of the violence.
Updated at 9:00 p.m. EDT, June 28, 2010
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, Turkish warplanes conducted yet another bombing run on suspected Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) hideouts in northern Iraq.
At least five Iraqis were killed and seven more were wounded in light violence. Also, a U.S. soldier was killed and two more were wounded during a vehicular accident in Diwaniya. Meanwhile, Iraqi journalists continue to suffer harassment from Iraqi officials who see nothing amiss in the arrest of elderly reporters on charges that lack evidence.
At least six Iraqi were killed and 11 more were wounded in attacks across the country. A series of brazen jewelry heists troubled Fallujah, where robbers may have been seeking funds to continue miltant efforts.Also, the United Nations has asked Iraq to ratify a convention against torture.
At least 17 Iraqis were wounded in the latest violence, but 11 decomposed bodies were found in a mass grave. Also, two people were wounded in an attack on Iranian pilgrims.