Updated at 11:28 p.m. EST, Nov. 10, 2009
The Turkish government unveiled a new peace plan that promises to end a 25-year-long guerilla war with the Kurdistan Workers Party. Meanwhile, at least three Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in the latest violence.
The Turkish parliament was presented with a Kurdish peace plan last night. Although there is opposition, the government hopes that the plan, which includes expanding rights given to Kurdish citizens, will stop Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) attacks.
With the new law passed and national elections looming in January, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki turned up the heat on his fellow Shi’ite rivals by rejecting rumors that his will join a political bloc that includes the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council and followers of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. A power struggle in Kirkuk delayed passage of the elections law and nearly postponed January’s election. Maliki also gave permission to former Ba’athists to run in the election, so long as they have cut all ties to the banned political party.
At a press conference in Arbil, Human Rights Watch reported that 157 Iraqis of various ethnic groups were killed as a direct result of this power struggle between the Arab-led central government, the Kurdish Autonomous Government, and various small ethic groups. Hundreds more have been wounded.
Kurdish President Masoud Barzani complained that the oil ministry has not sufficiently addressed the problem of oil revenues. The key to the political impasse in Kirkuk is oil.
Two policemen were killed and two more were wounded during an armed attack near Balad.
In Mosul, security personnel accidentally wounded a civilian.
Two wanted men were captured in Kirkuk and Rashad. A grenade near a civil servant’s house in Kirkuk caused some damage but left no casualties. A second grenade was found. In the evening, a bomb wounded two people.
One suspect was killed and eight others were arrested in Mu’atasim.
National police arrived in Muqdadiya and arrested a dean from Diyala University, who is also a former member of the local council. No reasons were given for the arrest; however, many local officials in Diyala province have suffered harassment from Baghdad in the past.
In Baghdad, 75 Ba’athists were arrested for their suspected involvement in the Oct. 25 bombings.
U.S. and Iraqi forces arrested a suspected al-Qaeda leader and eight others near Samarra.
In Diyala province, 110 female recruits began police training.
A wanted man surrendered to police in Riyadh.
