Violence remained fairly light today; however, at least 12 Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded across the country. Meanwhile, U.S. military advisers warn that the Iraqis must correct the inefficiencies of their armed forces if U.S. troops hope to withdraw next year.

Last night in Baiji, an attack on an Awakening Council checkpoint left two dead and five wounded.

An official in Mashadah survived an assassination attempt that killed his brother and another person; he was wounded as well.

In Mosul, gunmen killed a taxi driver. A roadside bomb wounded an Iraqi soldier. A civilian was shot dead. Two hostages were liberated.

In Baghdad, a senior education ministry official was assassinated.

One soldier was killed and another was wounded as they tried to defuse a bomb in Hilla.

A U.S. military vehicle struck a civilian car in Numaniya, killing three and wounding a fourth person.

An Awakening Council member was shot dead at a checkpoint in Tuz Khormato.

A hand grenade blast damaged a Basra home belonging to a university professor.

Last night, five rockets struck an army base in Amara; police discovered several more rockets during a search.

Police in Wassit province began using bomb-sniffing dogs and are pleased with the results.

In Kut, police have reopened all but one street that were closed after last week’s bombing.

An Islamic State of Iraq operative was captured in Abu Ghraib.

Read more by Margaret Griffis

• Iraq: Autonomy-Bid Governor Quits Over Tensions and Violence – February 7th, 2012
• Shi’ite-Led Govt. Still Targeting Rivals, Even As Cabinet Drops Boycott – February 6th, 2012
• Iraqi Town Asks For Help in Removing Landmines – February 4th, 2012
• Iraq’s Political Parties Look For Compromises – February 3rd, 2012
• Iraq Schedules More Executions; 10 Killed in Attacks – February 2nd, 2012