At least 11 Iraqis were killed in the latest violence. Another 23 were wounded as well. Demonstrations for and against granting region status to more areas in Iraq took place in Samarra and Baghdad. Also, the fate of Camp Ashraf residents could soon be decided.
Multiple bombs planted near three mosques in Abu Ghraib killed four people and wounded 18 more. Security forces guarding the mosques during Friday prayers seemed to be the main targets.
Five people were killed and two more were wounded when several bombs exploded at a policeman’s home in Saqlawiya. An elderly woman and children were among the dead. The policeman was not at home at the time of the blasts.
An off-duty policeman was gunned down in Hawija.
In Mosul, a civilian was shot and wounded. A policeman was wounded in a hand grenade attack. A soldier was wounded in another blast. Gunmen killed a member of the civil defense forces.
Rockets fell in Tikrit.
Talks are underway to decide the fate of several thousand Iranian exiles now living in Camp Ashraf. The exiles, who belong to the Mujahadeen-e-Khalq, have been labeled terrorists so finding a new home for them has been difficult.
A demonstration in support of region status for Salah ad-Din province took place in Samarra today. Over 2,000 people participated. Meanwhile, in Baghdad, a small counter-demonstration took place. These demonstrators think creating more autonomous regions would undermine Iraqi unity and strengthen the illegal Ba’ath Party.
