Two unidentified bodies found today in Baghdad frighteningly harkened back to the height of sectarian killings, but it was in Baquba and Ramadi where violence was focused today. At least seven Iraqis were killed and 49 more were wounded in a string of attacks across the country. Meanwhile, the court-martial of a Navy SEAL accused of not protecting a detainee has opened at a base outside Baghdad. Also, ballot recounting is now expected to begin next week.
Updated at 6:06 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2010
A partial but controversial ballot recount ordered for Baghdad province is raising concerns over election manipulation and pushing Iraq towards instability at a time when politicians should be creating the next government. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded in violence across Iraq. Also, a third high-ranking al-Qaeda leader was killed during a raid this morning in northern Iraq.
The confirmation of the deaths of two al-Qaeda figures on the U.S. most wanted list outweighed even the revelation of a secret Iraqi prison where hundreds of Sunni men may have tortured and the recount of votes from the national election. Meanwhile, at least four Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in other attacks. Also, a U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries in Basra.
At least six Iraqis were killed and seven more were wounded in a second day of unusually light violence. Meanwhile, one U.S. soldier was killed and three more were wounded in what is being treated as a non-hostile helicopter crash. Also, Gen. Ray Odierno said in a television interview that the U.S. drawdown is on track; however, there are signs that a full withdrawal could spell more sectarian violence.
At least three Iraqis were killed and six were wounded in light violence. Also, there are reports that Iranian intelligence officers are in Iraq intimidating former Iranians now living at Camp Ashraf.
At least four Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in light violence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki admitted that the Iraqiya party, which won the most seats in last month’s election, must be included in the next government.
An old mass grave believed to contain 14 al-Qaeda victims was unearthed near Samarra. Meanwhile, the formation of the new government is slowly plowing ahead as the Iraqiya bloc met with Iranian officials to gain Shi’ite support. Overall, at least 26 Iraqis were killed, including those found in the mass grave, and another six were wounded.
At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in the latest violence, but perhaps the worst attacks were disrupted.
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 31 more were wounded in the latest attacks. In Kurdistan, over 100 children killed during the Saddam era were reburied during a somber ceremony. Also, the U.S., Turkey and Iraq have drafted a plan to fight jointly against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) even though the PKK has been seeking a truce.
At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 37 more were wounded, mostly in a pair of suicide bombings in Mosul and near Baghdad. Meanwhile, a human rights group is criticizing new rules that hurt the free press. Also, P.M. Maliki’s premiership is apparently in its death throes as potential partners turn away, but it is perhaps his other actions that underscore how fragile his grasp on power really is.