Updated at 7:05 p.m. EST, Dec. 10, 2008
Today is the third and last day of Eid observances and reports should return to normal tomorrow. Only three Iraqis were killed and seven more were wounded today. It is likely that more attacks did occur, but many Iraqi journalists are on holiday during the Eid. The number of foreign journalists in Iraq has dropped significantly over the last few months and unsurprisingly so have the number of reports during holidays. Also, Baghdad Operation Command (BOC) reported that no events occurred over the Eid; however, two incidents yesterday and another pair today negate that statement. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear.
A source said that British troops could begin a pullout by March and exit Iraq by June. Although British officials confirmed a change in approach, one analyst said that it is unlikely troops will immediately be redeployed to Afghanistan.
As election campaigns began across Iraq, election officials in Basra are running a petition drive to see if there is enough interest among Basra residents for an autonomous state much like in the provinces that make up Kurdistan. Also, some black Iraqis are following Barack Obama’s lead and running for office in Iraq.
Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish Autonomous Region, pardoned a journalist who was arrested on charges of violating public custom by writing an article on the physical effects of homosexuality.
A bomb in Jalawla killed one civilian and injured two others.
Although there were two reported incidents in the capital only yesterday, a Baghdad Operation Command (BOC) spokesperson said there were no incidents in Baghdad during Eid observances. Today, a bomb in Zaafaraniyah wounded five people. A fire swept through a vehicle depot attached to the Oil Ministry; no casualties were reported and the cause of the blaze is unknown.
One dumped body was found in Taji.
In Mosul, a roadside bomb left no casualties.
A bomb targeting a sheikh’s house in Suwayra exploded without leaving casualties.
Coalition forces killed a suspect in Salman Pak, while 18 other suspects were detained in other locations across northern and central Iraq.
A curfew continues in Tal Afar.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
