Updated at 6:35 p.m. EDT, Aug. 27, 2007
As an expected five million people arrive in Karbala for a religious observance, Iraq security forces are focused on preventing attacks against Shi’ite pilgrims. Still, at least 62 Iraqis have been killed or found dead and 45 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, four U.S. servicemembers were killed in separate incidents over the last two days.
Two Task Force Lightning soldiers were killed yesterday in Salah ad Din province as a result of enemy gunfire. A Marine died in Anbar Province during combat operations yesterday, while another Marine died the day before in a separate incident.
The governor of Salah ad Din province escaped a roadside bomb attack that left two bodyguards wounded in a Tikrit neighborhood. Two provincial governors were killed earlier this month.
In Baghdad, 12 dumped bodies were found scattered throughout the capital. A roadside bomb killed one and wounded three in the al-Midan Square area. A sniper killed a pilgrim crossing the Jadiriyah Bridge. In a southwestern neighborhood, gunmen injured three pilgrims. Also, gunmen killed one pilgrim and injured three others just south of the capital.
U.S. forces detained eight suspected arms smugglers in Sadr City. The body of Iraqi translator working for CBS News was found a week after he had been kidnapped; his sister was shot during the abduction.
A suicide bomber in Fallujah killed 10 and wounded 11 after detonating his cargo during evening prayers at a mosque.
Ten dumped bodies were handed over to the morgue in Baquba. They were in various states of decomposition and found separately.
Seven tribal militia members were killed and four wounded in Jurf al-Sakhr during overnight battles with suspected al-Qaeda militants.
In Mussayab, two roadside bombs were defused on a highway leading to Karbala.
A group of pilgrims at a Iraqi army checkpoint in Karbala refused to be searched. Three pilgrims were killed and 13 more were injured after arguments turned into clashes.
Police reported that one pilgrim was killed and five more were wounded in Iskandariya and Latifiya.
Eleven bodies believed to belong to al-Qaeda suspects were found in Khalis.
In al-Qaiem, three unidentified bodies were found and then buried.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
