Thursday: 1 US Soldier, 5 Iraqis Killed; 11 Iraqis Wounded

by , January 21, 2010

At least five Iraqis were killed and 11 were wounded in the latest attacks. One U.S. soldier died in a vehicular accident as well. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry warned that as much as 10 percent of the population is disabled due to the war. Elsewhere, a probe into the workings of the De-Ba’athification Committee could change the upcoming elections. Also, a British contractor faced an Iraqi court, while in Britain a former foreign secretary testified at the Iraq Inquiry.

The Iraq Health Ministry estimates that as many as 10 percent of Iraqis became disabled, either physically or mentally, due to the effects of war and sanctions. Separately, the Iraqi government is courting foreign companies to help rebuild Baghdad.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has ordered a probe into the Accountability and Justice (De-Ba’athification) Committee’s ban of over 500 candidates. The probe could determine if the committee is even a legal entity. Talabani would like to include non-Saddamist Ba’athists in the political process, stressing that many were forced to join the party. Meanwhile, Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi wants to halt the committee’s work until a new committee is elected.

Former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw testified at the Iraq Inquiry. He defended his decision to invade Iraq but also regrets the large loss of life.

Danny Fitzsimons, who is accused of killing two colleagues, appeared in an Iraqi courtroom where the British security contractor was ordered to go before a medical and psychological committee.

One policeman was killed and five others were wounded during a blast in Mussayab.

In Mosul, a blast wounded two civilians. Gunmen killed a colonel. Two policemen were wounded in a separate small arms attack.

Gunmen in Nimrod killed an army colonel as he traveled on foot to visit a friend.

A roadside bomb in Jurf al-Sakhar killed a policeman.

In Kirkuk, a bomb targeting a vehicle carrying the director general of the Kirkuk Health Department wounded a bodyguard instead. No casualties were reported after a bombing.

A soldier was wounded in a blast in Hawija.

Soldiers in Baaj came across a man who was apparently planting a bomb when it went off. The soldiers killed the man as he tried to flee.

No casualties were reported after an explosion in Ramadi.

A curfew was briefly in place after Samarra officials were alerted to a possible car bombing.

Security forces took over the Salah ad-Din provincial building in Tikrit to ensure that the governor ceases working. He stands accused of corruption.

Three al-Qaeda suspects were detained in Suwayra.

Two suspects were arrested in Fallujah.

Fourteen suspects were captured in Basra province.

In Diwaniya, local officials ordered Ba’athists to hand over their weapons.

Read more by Margaret Griffis