The first nationwide census in decades was delayed again due to political concerns in northern areas of Iraq. Meanwhile, at least 12 Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, Ninevah provincial Gov. Atheel al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, warned that Iraqi’s fragile democracy could be derailed if Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is allowed to shoehorn his way into the premiership again.
Violence was very light ahead of Independence Day observations. At least two Iraqis were killed and four more were wounded in new attacks.
Updated at 8:22 p.m. EDT, Oct. 1, 2010
As of today, Iraq has spent 208 days without an elected government. It now stands as the country that has gone the longest between parliamentary elections and the formation of a new government. Meanwhile, at least eight Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded in light prayer day attacks across the country.
At least three Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in light violence. Despite the seemingly quiet news day, one story underscored the deterioration of news reporting in Iraq.
At least two Iraqis were killed and 23 more were wounded in various attacks. A suspected Iranian suicide bomber was also killed. Meanwhile, Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders is criticizing Iraqi security forces for perpetrating unreported attacks on journalists. Also, the United States is proposing to sell Iraq $4.2 billion in weapons and aircraft.
At least three Iraqis were killed and 24 were wounded in mostly late evening attacks in and near Baghdad. Meanwhile, a U.S. servicemember is in custody for the deaths of two fellow soldiers last week. Also, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari called on the United States to increase its role in helping Iraq form its new government.
Updated at 8:25 p.m. EDT, Sept. 27, 2010
As if the political deadlock over the premiership did not already stoke sectarian tensions in Iraq, the Interior Ministry has now ordered the demotions of hundreds of Sunni police officers. Meanwhile, the violence continues. At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded across the country. Meanwhile a U.S. soldier was killed in a vehicle rollover in Kuwait, and a sniper wounded a U.S. soldier in Amara.
Baghdad and nearby Garma today suffered a string of small but highly visible attacks that left a number of government employees and security elements injured or dead. At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 27 more were wounded in that and other violence. Also, Iraq launched a new U.S.-built patrol boat, the first of its expanding fleet, at the Umm Qasr naval base.
At least three Iraqis were killed and 16 others were wounded in new attacks. Separately, two U.S. soldiers were killed and a third one was injured during a non-combat event. Further underscoring the ongoing U.S. presence in Iraq, a leading Sunni cleric urged Arab leaders to boycott the Arab summit next March in Baghdad, in protest of this continuing U.S. occupation.
At least one Iraqi was killed and eight more were wounded in light violence. Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari announced that full diplomatic ties with Syria will be resumed. Also, for the first time since the invasion of Iraq, more contractors have died in the country than have U.S. troops.
