Updated at 6:31 p.m. EST, Dec. 15, 2008
At least 24 Iraqis were killed and 36 more were wounded in the latest violence. No Coalition deaths were reported. Meanwhile, an Iraqi journalist has become a hero to many Iraqis a day after throwing his shoes at U.S. President Bush. Also, the U.N. is asking Iraqis to treat Saddam-era officials fairly when they are handed over from U.S. custody next year.
Thousands of Iraqis across the country demanded the release of Iraqi journalist who insulted and threw shoes at U.S. President Bush yesterday. Muntadhar al-Zeidi lobbed his shoes at Bush during a press conference while yelling, “this is a farewell kiss, you dog. This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.” Al-Zeidi is in Iraqi custody. Although he is now considered a hero by many Iraqi civilians, the Iraqi government condemned his “barbaric and ignominious act.”
A provision of the new U.S.-Iraqi security pact forces the U.S. to hand detainees over to Iraqi authorities next year. U.N. officials are worried that some of the detainees will be tortured or murdered after the transfer. The U.N.’s special representative in Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, is asking Iraqis to treat “high-profile” detainees fairly and has suggested that international observation may be necessary. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old detainee died of an apparent heart attack while in U.S. custody at Camp Cropper.
Between Baghdad and Fallujah in Khan Dara, a suicide bomber drove his car into a checkpoint where he killed as many nine policemen and wounded 31 others.
A female suicide bomber just north of Baghdad in Tarmiya killed an Awakening Council leader and wounded his son.
Seven Yazidis were killed when gunmen stormed their family home in Sinjar. The Yazidi are a religious minority and most of them live in northern Iraq.
In Mosul, gunmen killed a woman inside her home. U.S. forces killed a civilian during a raid in Muthanna. A bomb killed two civilians south of the city.
Four Iraqi soldiers were wounded during a car bombing in Rabiyaa.
U.S. troops in Najaf reported that shoes were thrown at their patrols.
Police cheifs from several southern provinces gathered in Nasariya to discuss coordinated security between them. South of town a weapons cache was seized.
Three men were convicted of murder and other crimes and will be hanged in Wassit province.
Eleven gunmen, some known to be dangerous, were captured in Bani Saad.
An Islamic State of Iraq leader was captured in Samarra.
In Diwaniya, two wanted susptects were detained.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
