Updated at 7:34 p.m. EDT, Oct. 26, 2008
At least 11 Iraqis were killed and another 28 more were wounded as the Iraqi government canceled a meeting where lawmakers hoped to settle disagreements over a U.S.-Iraqi security deal. No Coalition deaths were reported.
Syria condemned an air raid by U.S. forces a few miles inside the border from Iraq. Eight Syrians were killed during the Special Forces attack at the Sukkariyeh Farm near Abu Kamal. The Syrian government said women and children were among the casualties, but U.S. authorities implied they were after foreign fighters. A spokesman for U.S. forces in western Iraq said the division stationed in the immediate area was not involved.
A meeting to discuss a contentious U.S.-Iraqi security deal was canceled by the Iraqis. Although the meat of the agreement is set, the Iraqis are insisting on certain amendments to the agreement; however, some highly placed Iraqis, say that failing to agree on this pact will set security gains back several years.
The Iraqi Parliament’s Oil and Gas Committee did not approve a hydrocarbons law that would have created a legal framework for the country’s oil industry. Kurdish members blamed the rejection on alterations made by the Oil Ministry.
In Baghdad, a roadside bomb wounded five people in the Baladiyat neighborhood. Another four were wounded in Bab al-Muadham when a bomb planted on a car was detonated; the car was carrying Health Ministry employees. Three people were wounded during a bombing at a mosque in Zaafaraniya. In Adhamiya, a roadside bomb wounded six people. One dumped body was found in New Baghdad. Last night in Shabb, a roadside bomb killed one civilian and wounded four others. Also, two dumped bodies were found yesterday.
In Mosul, a roadside bomb wounded two policemen in al-Nift. Gunmen killed a policeman during a drive-by shooting on his checkpoint in al-Darkazliya. Meanwhile at the Vatican, the Pope decried the killing of Christians in Mosul. The flood of Christians leaving the city has slowed thanks to a build up in security forces. Also, residents of all ethnicities await U.S. and Iraqi authorities to make good on their pledges to rebuild the diverse northern city.
Clashes between security forces and gunmen near Riyadh left three gunmen dead. Apparently, U.S. forces killed three suspects and arrested three more in what may be a separate incident nearby. Usually, “security forces” refers to Iraqi personnel.
Gunmen in Kirkuk wounded a man during a drive-by shooting. Also, a roadside bomb was successfully defused.
Gunmen wounded the Anbar representative of the Iraqi National Dialogue Front during a home invasion in Ramadi. The gunmen clashed with Ahmed Dawoud Marzouq’s guards before entering the home, but any casualties among them weren’t reported.
Two Iraqi soldiers were wounded in roadside bomb blast in Madaen.
Six missiles were discovered in Basra province.
West if Makhmour, police defused a roadside bomb and seized weapons.
A large cache of weapons was discovered in Mahaweel.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
