At least three Iraqis were killed and 16 others were wounded in new attacks. Separately, two U.S. soldiers were killed and a third one was injured during a non-combat event. Further underscoring the ongoing U.S. presence in Iraq, a leading Sunni cleric urged Arab leaders to boycott the Arab summit next March in Baghdad, in protest of this continuing U.S. occupation.
The Iraqiya party, which won the most seats in March elections, reiterated their rejection of incumbent Nouri al-Maliki’s return as prime minister. Meanwhile, Iraq’s vice-presidents agreed to launch “brave initiatives” they believe could hasten the formation of the new government.
A bomb killed one soldier and wounded four others near the Syrian border at Baaj.
In Baghdad, a bomb wounded four people, including two civilians, in Mansour. No casualties were reported after gunmen attempted to assassinate a State of Law M.P. in Amin. An I.E.D. killed a traffic policeman in Karrada.
In Mosul, four civilians were wounded during an explosion targeting a security patrol in Zinjili. Four police officers were wounded in a separate blast. A former cab driver was shot dead near his Amil home.
Fourteen civilians kidnapped on a bus traveling near Amara were liberated. The kidnapper’s fled.
The Iraqi army arrested 18 suspects in Saidiya and confiscated explosives.
Eight suspects were detained and arms were confiscated across Basra province.
Three members of an assassination squad were captured in Diyala’s Muhandiseen district.
Nasariya police defused five bombs set to demolish a bridge.
