At least five Iraqis were killed and four more were wounded in very light violence as al-Qaeda in Iraq has vowed to increase attacks. Meanwhile, Turkey and Iran could be gearing up for more extensive operations in northern Iraq.
Iraqis are expecting Turkish and Iranian ground troops to enter the country soon as part of operations against Kurdish rebels. Iranian troops were reported within Iraqi territory recently, and tensions have been high since early July when Iran began shelling northern Iraq. However, the situation escalated last week when rebels killed several Turkish soldiers, and Turkey began a series of heavy air strikes. Local residents have fled the area due to the bombardment.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq has vowed to carry out 100 attacks across Iraq beginning last Monday. Although they did not explicitly take responsibility for the series of attacks that left over 100 dead that day, many analysts believe they saw al-Qaeda’s handiwork in the violence.
In Hadid, a sticky bomb placed on an education department employee’s car exploded and killed three family members.
A blast in Haqlaniya killed one person and wounded two others near a policeman’s home.
Two bodyguards were wounded in an attack against the Zab‘s police commander.
A bomb was prematurely detonated in Falluja, killing its maker.
A radio station in Kirkuk was set ablaze.
A suicide bomber was prevented from carrying out his mission in Muqdadiya.
Fourteen suspects were arrested in Basra.
Eight suspects were detained in Diyala.
Four suspects were captured in Baghdad.
A court freed six members of the Soldiers of Heaven cult.
