Updated at 6:49 p.m. EST, Feb. 26, 2010
At least four Iraqis were killed and 48 more were wounded in prayer day violence. It appears that reporters have returned to Mosul after a brief hiatus. Regular reports of attacks have resumed, perhaps in response to a surge in attacks against Christians. In nearby Suleimaniyah, however, reports are having a difficult time leaking out. Also, three mass graves holding hundreds of children killed during the Saddam era were discovered in Kirkuk.
Authorities found three mass graves dating to the Saddam era, near Kirkuk. They believe that 272 children and a pregnant woman were buried in them, but the graves have not been excavated yet.
In Mosul, a bomb left in a dumpster near an Iraqi army target in the Wadi Hajar area left three dead and 30 wounded. A car bomb targeted a second army patrol wounded nine people, including six civilians.
In Baghdad, a bomb on Andalus St. left one person wounded; it was thought to have targeted the Communist Party offices, but a spokesperson denied the account. Gunmen killed a mosque’s imam.
At least eight people were wounded in election-related attacks in Suleimaniyah this month. A total of 11 have been injured, but only three of those casualties were previously reported.
The Justice Ministry released 163 detainees after the courts determined there was not enough evidence against them.
An Iraqi Accord Front Sunni candidate was arrested north of Hilla.
Six suspects were arrested in Basra.
The Iraqi ambassador announced the return of more than 1,000 antiquities and other historical items. U.S. officials handed over the items, which had been taken from Iraq in the years since the invasion.
While Iraqi printers are happy that the security situation is allowing them to ply their trade without threats from armed groups during this election cycle, the recent controversy over a Ba’ath blacklist has given them a less dramatic problem: They were forced to wait until the last minute to print campaign materials and must turn away some customers.
Jordan has promised not to harass Iraqis illegally living there during the election season. Poll stations will be set up so that Iraqis can vote in March elections without having to return home.
