Updated at 8:42 p.m. EST, Nov. 11, 2010
The long-awaited selection of the new government overshadowed any other news coming out of Iraq today, to the point that only two casualties were reported. Those two occurred in the capital.
Updated at 8:58 p.m. EST, Nov. 9, 2010
At least nine Iraqis were killed and 42 more were wounded in new violence. Most of the attacks in the capital targeted Christians. Meanwhile, political leaders are closer to forming a new government. The Iraqiya party has apparently accepted the speaker of parliament position but may still be balking at having Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki given a second turn at the premiership. Ayad Allawi, Iraqiya’s leader, may have also accepted to head the Political Council of Strategic Policies.
At least six Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in light violence. Security was tightened around some locations following a particularly bloody day in southern Iraq yesterday. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the United States could keep troops in Iraq beyond a 2011 deadline if Iraqis make the request. Also, Three British soldiers were referred to a prosecutor and could face a war crimes trial over allegations they abused Iraqi detainees.
Update at 9:01 p.m EST, Nov. 8, 2010
At least 40 people were killed and 130 more were wounded in new violence across Iraq. Two of the deadliest attacks targeted Shi’ite pilgrims near Iraq’s holiest sites. Although figures are inexact, at least 11 Iranian pilgrims were killed and as many as 63 were wounded in those cities alone. The pilgrims were visiting holy sites in Iraq just a week before the Eid al-Adha holiday begins. Meanwhile, Iraqi politicians met in Arbil where they were to have announced a deadlock-breaking deal concerning government formation, but instead bickered over the details until they ultimately agreed to continue discussions tomorrow.
Updated at 8:29 p.m. EST, Nov. 7, 2010
Eight months after national elections, lawmakers have tentatively resolved a deadlock preventing the selection of the new government. Meanwhile, several of today’s attacks focused on Awakening Council (Sahwa) and other security forces. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 30 more were wounded across the country.
Updated at 6:04 p.m. EDT, Nov. 6, 2010
At least two Iraqis were killed and 52 more were wounded in mostly light violence. The worst attack occurred in Kirkuk, where three cars bombs apparently targeted Kurdis officials.
Updated at 11:36 p.m. EDT, Nov. 5, 2010
At least five Iraqis were killed and nine others were wounded in a pair of attacks in Iraq. Other reports focused on past violence, including abuse from British soldiers, and the potential for future attacks.
At least nine Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in a small surge of violence today. Meanwhile, Iraqis are demonstrating against the deadly attacks that rattled Baghdad earlier this week.
At least three Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in light violence; however, the Islamic State of Iraq vowed to continue targeting Iraqi Christians. Also, the Iraqi Interior Ministery inspector general admitted that a “magic wand” used to detect explosives is completely useless, but Interior Minister Jawad Bolani continues to defend its use.
Updated at 2:16 p.m., Nov. 2, 2010
In a still developing story, a series of at least 21 explosions in the capital has left scores of casualties. At least 120 people were killed across the country, while as many as 369 were wounded. These numbers are estimates and could change throughout the day and into tomorrow. In the United Kingdom, meanwhile, a student was found guilty of attacking a British lawmaker over his support for the Iraq war.
