Updated at 9:40 p.m. EDT, August 14, 2008
A major attack against Shi’ite pilgrims occurred in Iskandariya today, leaving dozens dead and wounded. Overall, at least 40 Iraqis were killed and another 111 were wounded throughout Iraq. Meanwhile, a party spokesman revealed that Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is in the United States, recovering from heart surgery. Back home, the speaker of the parliament is having his own coronary troubles. No Coalition deaths were reported.
A female suicide bomber killed at least 26 people and wounded 75 more in Iskandariya. The victims were Shi’ite pilgrims traveling to Karbala for the Shabaniyah religious observance, which culminates this weekend. Although Karbala has heightened security for the holiday, pilgrims walking to the holy city are still extremely vulnerable. The attack occurred at a rest stop. It is the first major bombing against pilgrims during this year’s festival.
In Baghdad, one dumped body was discovered. A roadside bomb in the Karrada district killed one and wounded seven more. In Zaafaraniya, a bomb killed a policeman and wounded nine pilgrims on their way to Karbala. No casualties were reported after a bomb near the Ghadeer Bridge blasted a U.S. patrol. Also, U.S. forces killed one suspect and detained five more, who may have been involved in al-Qaeda’s finances. Iraqi forces detained 34 suspects.
A roadside bomb in Buhriz killed two people and wounded six more, possibly policemen.
Two people were killed and five were wounded in a bombing south of the capital in Salman Pak.
In Mosul, gunmen stormed a home where they killed a man and wounded his son. Gunmen killed a policeman and an Iraqi soldier in separate incidents. An Iraqi soldier was shot dead and his companion was wounded as their were vacationing. Also, three suspects were arrested in an unrelated incident.
In Baiji, a roadside bomb wounded five oil workers.
A policeman’s body was found in Kirkuk.
A booby-trapped car was safely detonated by security forces in Tikrit.
Near Baquba, a roadside bomb killed an eight-year-old girl, while wounding her mother and sister.
In other news, the U.S. Navy has charged six sailors with abusing detainees; another seven sailors were give non-judicial punishment as well. Iran and Iraq have joined together to officially demarcate the border between the two countries, while British forces are focusing their attention on securing that border. Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih is in Iran reassuring the Iranians that continued U.S. presence in Iraq is not a message for them. Also, a U.S. oil company has not given a reason for ending negotiations over the development of an old field.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
