As the Arbaeen holiday approaches, an increase in pilgrims visiting holy sites could put them at greater risk. The first confirmed attack against Shi’ite pilgrims, who were visiting from Iran, occurred today in the capital. At least four Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded. Also, one Iranian woman was killed and five more were wounded. A U.S. soldier was also wounded in an attack.
Iranian soldiers at the Fakka oil fields retreated to Iran. Oil security forces took control of the field that has been the source of tensions between the neighboring countries since December. Both countries claim the oil field.
Former British Attorney General Peter Goldsmith, who was then-Prime Minister Tony Blair‘s top legal adviser testified at the Iraq Inquiry. He said he first believed Britain’s involvement in the war was illegal but later changed his mind.
U.S. Gen. Raymond Odierno warned that Iraqi militants are finding new means of hiding explosives in cars. This comes as the Islamic State in Iraq took responsibility for Monday’s deadly hotel bombings. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said that the controversial ADE 651 bomb detectors produced by ATSC Ltd. would be thoroughly tested but remain in use despite the widespread belief among bomb experts that the devices are completely useless.
Ahmed Abu Risha, the head of Sunni Awakening Councils (Sahwa) asked the government to abandon a ‘policy of revenge’ against former Ba’athists. He called the justice and accountability law unjust and harsh.
In Baghdad, gunmen driving a speeding car between the Adil and Shuala neighborhoods attacked at least one bus carrying Iranian pilgrims to the Imam Kadhim shrine; one Iranian woman and an Iraqi bus driver was killed, while five more Iranians were wounded. A sticky bomb left on a doctor’s car blew up in Adhamiya, injuring the doctor and two bystanders.
A suicide bomber disguised as a policeman struck at a police compound near Mosul in Zumar. Police opened fire and the man detonated his explosives. A U.S. soldier and three Iraqi policemen were injured. At least one civilian was also wounded. Only yesterday, it was revealed that U.S. soldiers have quietly joined Iraqi security forces in a new operation targeting northern Iraq.
In Mosul, gunmen killed the mayor of the Intisar neighborhood. A civilian was shot to death separately. Police arrested three suspects and seized their stash of weapons and ammunition.
In Kirkuk, a bomb wounded a civilian. Four suspects were arrested.
A buried weapons cache was discovered at a farm near Ramadi.
Karbala has implemented a security plan for the expected millions of pilgrims heading there for the Arbaeen observances. Two alleged, former Ba’athists were arrested.
U.S. troops arrested a Reconciliation department official, who is also a former Sahwa leader, during a raid in Duluiya.
Four suspects were detained in Basra.
A forgery gang was captured in Saidiya.
Two bombs were defused west of Kut.
