Updated at 11:28 p.m. EST, Jan. 2, 2009
A pair of attacks, one of them significant, took place just south of Baghdad in what has been called the “Triangle of Death.” This Sunni-dominated area was once among the deadliest in Iraq. Overall, at least 35 Iraqis were killed and 123 were wounded across Iraq. No Coalition deaths were reported.
As many as 30 people were killed and 110 were wounded during a tribal feast in Yusufiya. Earlier, sources said that about 24 people had died while 42 were wounded. The feast took place at the home of a sheikh from the Sunni al-Qaraghouli tribe; he was among the wounded. A suicide bomber, supposedly related to the host, entered through a rear gate and detonated his vest among the guests. Many tribal chiefs and security officials were among the victims; about 1,000 people were in attendance.
Gunmen attacked an Awakening Council (Sahwa) checkpoint in Jurf al Sakhar, killing three members and wounding six others.
In Mosul, a civilian was killed in a drive-by shooting. A roadside bomb wounded a policeman. Another roadside bomb wounded two civilians. Two I.E.D.s were defused. Also, gunmen set fire to a pair of generators powering a cell company’s towers.
Two men suspected of belonging to an Islamist group called al-Naqshabandiya were captured in Makhmour.
In Baghdad, four people were wounded during a bombing in the Jihad neighborhood.
A body was found in generally peaceful Arbil. The young man was shot to death.
Two Katyusha rockets struck an Iraqi army base in Diwaniya. No casualties were reported.
A kidnapping gang was arrested in Buhriz.
Three Katyusha rockets were defused in Kut.
Near Kut in al-Sada al-Witriya, six long range rockets were seized.
Ten suspects were captured in Nahda.
The number of Iraqis seeking asylum in Germany has risen. In particular, Yazidis and Sabean Mandeans are fleeing religious persecution.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
