At least two Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in today’s attacks. The elections law impassed continues to dominate the news, but two separate criminal cases involving a U.S. soldier and a Blackwater contractor are also getting attention.
Lawmakers postponed voting on a solution to the new elections law impasse. Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi vetoed the bill this week over concerns that sufficient parliamentary seats were not allocated for Iraqis living overseas. Kurdish officials are also threatening to boycott the election unless they receive more seats as well. A decision could come tomorrow.
US prosecutors plan to drop a manslaughter case against a Blackwater guard involved in deadly 2007 shooting; however, the wording of their court request would allow them to refile charges later. Four other guards will go on trial in February. One guard has already pleaded guilty. The case involves a controversial shootout in Baghdad’s Nisour Square that left 17 dead.
A U.S soldier was found guilty of abusing subordinates in Iraq.
In Baghdad, a bomb wounded six civilians. Two more Iraqis were wounded in a second blast. A sticky bomb killed one person and wounded three others in Karrada.
In Mosul, gunmen killed a teacher. Two soldiers were wounded when gunmen attacked their checkpoint.
Two men were wounded as they were planting a bomb near Saidiya.
In Kirkuk, an Islamic State of Iraq suspect was arrested during security operations. Explosives were confiscated.
Two Islamic State of Iraq suspects were arrested in Ramadi.
Two Islamic State of Iraq suspects were detained in Tikrit.
A dangerous suspect was captured in Karbala.
A murderous gang was captured in Basra. Six other suspects were also detained.
