Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered up to a 90 percent reduction in the number of guards protecting officials, including special protection regiments working for individual officials. This should free up the men to return to military or police duty.
The Integrity Commission of Integrity has announced the investigation of 2,000 people, including 13 ministers, who will face trial on corruption charges. They have tied this to Abadi’s reform plans that were announced only last week, but the investigations and some convictions had been occurring beforehand.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani reiterated calls for “true reform” in government. He warned that Iraq could face partition if Iraq continues to ignore this need.
At least 304 were killed and two were wounded: In Mosul, 18 civilians were killed in a Coalition airstrike. Militants executed two professors. A militant leader and several colleagues were killed in a strike.
Twelve young men were executed in Hawija.
Three security members were killed and two were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near Baiji. Three bombers were killed.
A mortar attack killed seven Peshmerga in Tal Afar.
Six Peshmerga were killed in a mortar attack on Sinjar.
In Bashir, a Peshmerga fighter was killed in a roadside bombing.
An imam was executed in Qayara.
A bomb killed several civilians including children last week in Kirkuk.
Officials say that 150 militants were killed during the recapture of the of Samarra island. At least two security members were killed in area clashes.
In Baghdad, 35 militants were killed in various areas.
Airstrikes left 21 militants dead in Makhmour.
Strikes on Tuz left 19 militants dead.
Eight militants were killed in Mazraa.
In Ramadi, four militants were killed.
Four bombers were killed in Sger.
In Husayba, two militants were killed.
Two more were killed in Albu Eitha.
Unidentified gunmen in Hit killed a militant leader.
