At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 30 more wounded in violence that included clashes during demonstrations in Iraqi Kurdistan.
As Kurdish authorities banned "unofficial" demonstrations, anti-riot police and Peshmerga fighters broke up new protests in Suleimaniya. At least seven people were wounded in today’s altercations, and gunfire was reported. Some eyewitnesses said that student protesters were among those arrested today. Police also scattered their parents who had gathered demanding information on their children. It is believed the students are in the custody of the Kurdish government.
This is the third day of intensified clashes in the province. Protesters have staged almost daily demonstrations since Feb. 17. They are demanding better living conditions and an end to political corruption. Meanwhile, Kurdish regional Prime Minister Barham Saleh offered to quit leading his Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and admitted that the government has used "mafia-style practices" against the media. The offer did not appear to extend to his premiership.
Police in Diwaniya staged a sit-in to demand better working conditions. Anti-riot police broke up the demonstration and arrested its leaders.
In Baghdad, six people were wounded on Palestine St., when a bomb targeting guards working at the old Finance Ministry offices exploded. Later, a second blast along Palestine St. wounded three more. In Doura, an Education Ministry official was killed and two bystanders were wounded when a sticky bomb attached to his car exploded. Gunmen using silencers killed a policeman in Jihad.
Gunmen killed three women during a home invasion in Kirkuk. The three had recently moved there from Nasariya.
In Mosul, a Peshmerga fighter was killed in a drive-by shooting. Gunmen kidnapped a Kurd and two Shabaks. Later, the bodies of the two Shabaks were found.
A bomb wounded six people in Ramadi.
One man was killed and two others were wounded in a sticky bomb attack in Falluja.
A bomb targeting a Sadrist M.P. exploded in Mussayab and wounded three bodyguards.
A policeman killed another in Kut.
A man was wounded in a small arms attack in Khan Bani Saad.
No casualties were reported in a bomb attack against a U.S. convoy in Nasariya.
Basra elected a new governor.
