At least six Iraqis were killed and 38 more were wounded in new violence. The worst attack occurred in the capital where a new agreement may allow journalists more freedoms. Also, the Arab League Summit has been postponed until May.
The United Nation’s Special Representative to Iraq Ad Melkert said the organization is concerned about human rights violations, particularly violence towards demonstrators and restrictions against journalists. Meanwhile, the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory and Baghdad Operations Command have reached an agreement to protect journalists during demonstrations and allow them to directly broadcast from protests.
Ayad Allawi, whose Iraqiya party won the most seats in last year’s election but failed to gain the premier’s seat, has resigned as chair of the National Council on Strategic Policies, because the supervisory council has not been formed. The position was created as a concession in a power-sharing deal that would allow the formation of the current government with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returning as prime minister despite being in second place Dawa. It was to have kept Maliki’s growing powers in check.
In Baghdad, a pair of bombs targeting a Sunni Endowment official’s home in Ghazaliya killed one person and wounded 20, including the official. A third explosion wounded two more. A blast targeting a petrol tanker in Rustamiya wounded one person. Two people were wounded when a bomb exploded near a fuel truck in Doura. Three bystanders were wounded during an explosion on Palestine Street. Baladiyat saw three wounded after a blast. A blast targeting a U.S. convoy near the Mashtal Bridge left no casualties.
In Mosul, a blast at the home of a man who had worked as a translator for U.S. forces killed him. Gunmen killed a civilian yesterday.
A suicide bomber attacked a mosque’s imam after evening prayers in Ramadi. One civilian was killed and three others were wounded, including the imam.
One person was injured in an attack on a petrol tanker south of Baghdad.
A blast at the Tarmiya police station killed one prisoner and wounded three others.
Protestors in Baquba demanded the sacking of local officials and other reforms except for the police chief.
A small demonstration in support of the governor took place in Ninewa province after P.M. Maliki called on Atheel al-Nujiefi to step down.
Fifty Naqshabandiya fighters were arrested in Hawija. Three of them were foreign.
The Peshmerga say this will not withdraw from Kirkuk province until it stabilizes.
