Coalition and Iraqi airstrikes have increased in the Hawija region. This signals that a ground operation is likely imminent. Furthermore, U.S. troops have reportedly been moved to Qaraj in the Makhmour district ahead of this impending battle.
At least 233 people were killed and four more were wounded:
In Baghdad, a bomb killed three people and wounded three more.
A two-hour long battle left a tribal fighter and eight militants dead in Nimrud; another tribal fighter was wounded. Two more militants were killed at a separate location.
Three bodies were found at Ghazlani.
In Mosul, gunmen killed a woman. Six militants were killed during a failed attack. The bodies of 176 militants were removed.
Turkish artillery forces killed three members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (P.K.K.) in northern Iraq after receiving cross-border mortar fire.
A security operation in Wali Thalab left 14 militants dead.
Six suicide bombers were killed in Naft Khana.
Five militants were killed in Hadhar.
Airstrikes near Kirkuk left five militants dead.
