Security personnel fought demonstrators at sit-in camps in at least two predominantly Sunni cities. The highest number of casualties occurred in Hawija. The clashes led to several curfews and road closures across the country. They also encouraged two ministers to quit their posts. Overall, at least 111 people were killed and 233 more were wounded in those clashes and other violence.
Security forces triggered a deadly riot in Hawija, when they tried to arrest suspects allegedly taking refuge at a protest camp. At least 39 civilians were killed in the initial clash. They were possibly unarmed. Three soldiers were killed as well. About 153 people were wounded, both soldiers and demonstrators. Security forces claimed to have liberated 18 children who were being used as shields.
Nine policemen were killed and five more were wounded when gunmen attacked three checkpoints on highways leading to Tikrit.
In Baghdad, seven people were killed and at least 17 more were wounded in a pair of blasts near a Doura mosque.
Gunmen stormed a police base in Suleiman Pak when they killed six security personnel and wounded 11 others. At least one gunman was killed and six more were wounded.
Four dumped bodies were found in Falluja.
In Baaj, a roadside bomb killed a soldier and wounded two more.
A body was found in Iskandariya.
Gunmen wounded four soldiers in Garma, then set fire to two vehicles.
Gunmen reportedly took over checkpoints in Riyadh and brought down a helicopter. The government denied the downing, but 13 militants were killed when security forces were called out.
Armed clashes also took place at a sit-in in Ramadi, where six soldiers were killed. One soldier was kidnapped. The provincial council demanded the removal of military forces from protest camps.
In Mosul, a bomb killed a policeman and wounded two more.
Mortars in Muqdadiya killed nine and wounded 25 more.
Six were killed and eight more were wounded in a blast in eastern Iraq.
In Haswa, bombs targeting a Sahwa member’s family killed five of them including children.
