Updated at 12:10 a.m. EDT, July 7, 2008
The workweek in Iraq began with several deadly attacks. At least 26 Iraqis were killed 43 more were wounded across the country. The biggest attacks were in Baghdad and Jalawla. Meanwhile, an American soldier died of non-combat related causes.
In Baghdad, six people were killed and 14 more were wounded when a car bomb blew up in Shabb; a second car bomb was defused at that spot. This was the third attack in four days near the Yarmuk Hospital A separate car bomb wounded five in Jamiya; the injured may have been policemen defusing a bomb. Also, three security personnel were wounded during operations, and two dumped bodies were found.
Several neighborhoods in Sadr City were cordoned off after clashes that occurred overnight. The arrest of a Sadrist official set off the confrontations. No casualties were reported.
Seven relatives were killed when a roadside bomb blasted the family of a local Kurdish official in Jalawla. The official and as many as 11 others were wounded. Some sources later reported that the official died as well.
One Iraqi soldier was killed and four others were wounded during an IED attack in Kanaan.
Clashes between Awakening Council (Sahwa) members and Iraqi army troops in Baquba left two dead civilians.
A roadside bombing in Haswa killed one person and wounded another.
An Iraqi merchant was killed in Kut. The man held U.S. nationality and had arrived recently.
A female body bearing gunshot and torture marks was found in Mussayab.
Two schoolgirls were kidnapped in Talkif, a predominantly Christian unaccustomed to violence.
In Kirkuk, 20 gunmen turned themselves over to police. A "key" al-Qaeda leader was captured. Four Iraqi policemen were injured during a roadside bombing.
A bomb was placed on a car belonging to the head of a Sahwa council in Iskandariya. He was killed shortly after meeting with U.S. forces.
Gun released six captives in Khanaqin after negotiations with relatives.
In Zubayr, one child was killed and another was injured in a landmine blast. The landmine is believed to date from the Saddam era. Officials estimate that Iraq has 4000 landmine fields within its borders. That is 25% of the total number of mines worldwide.
A civilian was shot and killed in Mosul.
Gunmen killed an Iraqi army officer on his way home to Dhuluiya. Two suspects were arrested.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
