Updated at 7:20 p.m. EST, Jan. 18, 2009
At least three Iraqis were killed and 35 more were wounded in the latest attacks. One attack occurred at the Qayara home of a politician. Also, a U.S. soldier was killed in a roadside bomb blast in Baghdad.
The Electoral Commission is investigating reports that a number of candidates submitted fraudulent credentials when applying to run for office. Many candidates have already been disqualified for various reasons including being former Baath Party members.
In political news, a deadlock remains in the Iraqi parliament where lawmakers failed to elect a new speaker. Also, Iraq’s foreign minister called the U.S. occupation of Iraq “the mother of all mistakes.”
In Baghdad, a roadside bomb near the Furat district home of an Awakening Council official wounded six people, including the official. Three people were wounded in an Amin supermarket when a car bomb targeting a U.S. patrol was detonated; the blast also killed a U.S. soldier. A bomb near Shabb Stadium wounded three policemen while shelling wounded two Iraqi soldiers in Jamiya, both yesterday. Three policemen were wounded in a late day bombing in Meshtal. In Yarmouk, two people were injured during a roadside bombin. A bomb blast on Palestine St. wounded eight people. Also, police defused a sticky bomb attached to the car of a ministry official.
A suicide bomber stormed the Qayara home of a deputy head of the Iraqi National Dialogue Front. He was killed and two bodyguards were wounded. A policeman at the scene said that a policeman was killed and as many as three others were wounded.
In Mosul, a roadside bomb injured two people, including a civilian.
A total of 97 suspects were detained across Basra over the last three days. A prison employee was wounded when a bomb attached to his car was detonated.
A dangerous suspect was captured in Amara.
Babel police captured at least 35 men suspected of murdering a political candidate. Three policemen were among the suspects.
A suspect accused of murdering a Hibhib official was captured.
Eight suspects were arrested in Khalis.
Katyusha rockets fell on an MNF base near Kut but no casualties were reported.
Five suspects were detained in Tal Afar.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
