Updated at 6:51 p.m. EDT, April, 24, 2008
At least 42 Iraqis were killed and 38 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Three American soldiers were killed as well, but in separate accidents. Also, Britain is canceling its drawdown of troops for the time being.
Two American soldiers were killed and one was wounded during a vehicular accident in Salah ad Din. One Iraqi interpreter was also wounded. Another American soldier was killed in a separate accident in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the MNF denied capturing former Vice President Izzat al-Douri.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has announced that all political factions will soon be returning to the government. The groups, both Shi’ite and Sunni, walked out last year. One of the groups is connected to Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, but reconciliation is unlikely unless al-Maliki hold up his end of a cease-fire between Iraqi forces and al-Sadr’s Mahdi army. Instead, al-Maliki says he will continue with his crackdown. Meanwhile, Shi’ite lawmakers are warning that al-Sadr is considering disconnecting the Mahdi army from it’s political wing and declaring an end to the cease-fire.
In Baghdad, three dumped bodies were found. Three people were killed and 15 were wounded during a market bombing in Mansour; three Iraqi soldiers were injured in a separate bombing. Iraqi and U.S. forces killed nine suspects in Husseiniyah. As many as seven others were killed in air strikes across the city. Three people were injured in a bomb blast in west Baghdad. Two more were injured during a bombing in Shabb. Sixteen Katyusha rockets were confiscated. Mortars struck the Polish Embassy, injuring a security guard. A car bomb at the entrance to the Green Zone killed one person and wounded three others. An IED was found in Zayouna and disposed of. A bomb at the Ghadeer Bridge killed one and wounded six others. Mortars in Karrada left no casualties. Two people were injured when mortars fell in Adhamiya. Also, Iraqi and U.S. forces raided a hospital in Rashad, where they arrested staff and patients; four suspects were killed during the operation.
Two policemen and a civilian were killed during a roadside bombing in Kirkuk.
In Mosul, one civilian was killed and three people were wounded when a roadside bomb blasted them. One policeman was shot and killed. Also, eight suspects were captured.
Iraqi forces arrested a Sadrist cleric in Basra.
In Samarra, reconstruction of the Askariya Mosque is uniting both Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims.
Three suspects were detained near Arbil.
In Karbala, three suspects were arrested.
U.S. forces killed six suspects near Lake Thar Thar.
A roadside bomb in Khalis killed an Iraqi security officer and wounded two others.
Three public servants driving an ambulance were arrested in Fallujah.
In Wajihiyah the district commissioner and his driver were injured during and armed attack.
Also, Turkish troops reported firing upon a group of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels attempting to cross into Turkey. The PKK said that intense clashes took place, with losses on the Turkish forces side.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
