At least eight Iraqis were killed today and another seven were wounded. Among the dead was President Jalal Talabani’s grandnephew, who committed suicide after killing his American teacher. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government released their casualty figures for February.

An American teacher was killed by his Iraqi student at a Christian school in Suleimaniya. According to witnesses, Biyar Sardar Talabani was arguing with instructor Jeremiah Small in their classroom when suddenly Talabani pulled out a gun and killed Small. Then Talabani committed suicide. Small’s family, however, says that they heard a different story from students they spoke with. A motive for the murder was not released. Talabani’s grand-uncle is Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

A series of blasts at a home in Qura Zubaa left two dead and three wounded.

Gunmen killed a farmer and wounded his brother in Balad.

A roadside bomb wounded three Sahwa members in Shirqat. A second bomb was found and defused.

In Mosul, gunmen killed a soldier. A police colonel and his driver were killed in a blast.

In Baghdad, police freed a young girl and her driver; they were kidnapped two days ago and held for ransom. A brigadier general was shot dead in the Doura district.

According to official figures, at least 150 Iraqis, civilians and security personnel, were killed. That number was just one short of the January toll. The number of wounded rose by 31 to 352 in total. These figures include civilians and security personnel only.

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