At least 56 Iraqis were killed and 96 more were wounded in mostly new attacks throughout the country. The worst violence took place in Basra where a triple bombing killed or wounded nearly a hundred Iraqis. Sixteen other men were executed and nine victims were found in a mass grave in Diyala province.

A triple bombing killed 25 Iraqis and wounded at least 76 more at a busy souk in Basra. Because the third blast was timed to harm first responders, many of the victims were from the security forces. Among the dead was the deputy chief of police. Such attacks have been rare in this southern province. Three weeks ago, however, another triple bombing took place, which could mean that violence is on the rise. It is not yet known if Sunni insurgents perpetrated this attack, or if rivalry between Shi’ite militant groups is to blame. Like other areas of Iraq, Basra is seeking to gain more autonomy for itself.

Sixteen men were executed by the Iraqi government. They had been found guilty of murdering gas sellers in Taji and were also linked to a deadly 2006 massacre in Dujail.

Nine bodies were discovered in a mass grave near Khalis. The likely date to the height of sectarian violence.

In Baghdad, gunmen wearing police uniforms stormed a Karrada home where they killed and woman and wounded two others. Three people were wounded in a bombing near the Sunni endowment office in northern Baghdad. A policeman was wounded while driving around in Amiriya.

A village mayor was shot to death in Jalawla.

In Ramadi, five people were wounded in a bomb attack. Gunmen kidnapped a policeman and his son.

In Mosul, gunmen killed a soldier and wounded a second at a checkpoint.

Gunmen killed an employee working for the electricity department in Shura.

Clashes in Baaj left one soldier dead and an officer wounded.

Two men were wounded when three bombs exploded at a home in Bahbahan.

A sticky bomb in Garma killed one person and wounded another.

A roadside bomb wounded two people in Barwana.

Two guards were beaten and arrested when security forces stormed a councilman’s home in Samarra.

Read more by Margaret Griffis

• Nine Killed As Iraqi President Demands End to Political Squabbles – May 26th, 2012
• Iraqi Political Coalitions Still Fighting over Maliki’s Right To Lead – May 25th, 2012
• Talabani Threatens To Resign over Political Tensions – May 24th, 2012
• Iraq Bus Bombing Kills Lebanese and Iranian Pilgrims – May 23rd, 2012
• 14 Iraqis Killed As National Alliance Is Asked To Select A Replacement PM – May 22nd, 2012