Sunday: 7 Iraqis Killed, 18 Wounded

Although the country is expecting an increase in violence this week, so far it has been relatively quiet. Today, at least seven Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in light violence. Other news from Iraq dealt with formation of the new government, the aftermath of the drawdown and the huge waste of resources on the part of the United States.

Saturday: 8 Iraqis Killed, 3 Wounded

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki put the country on high alert ahead of the formal end of U.S. combat operations on Tuesday. Still, at least eight Iraqis were killed and three more were wounded in light violence today. Also, a U.S. servicemember was wounded while protecting the reconstruction team in Amara, while another U.S. soldier was injured in a blast in Basra.

Thursday: 20 Iraqis Killed, 25 Wounded

Violence tapered off a day after a massive series of attacks against Iraqi security personnel. At least 20 Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded in the latest incident, several of which again targeted security and other government personnel. Separately, Kuwait and Iraq are finalizing a deal that will allow the two countries to share in profits from the border oilfields that triggered an Iraqi invasion in August of 1990 and subsequent Gulf War.

Wednesday: 92 Iraqis Killed, 379 Wounded

Updated at 4:52 p.m. EDT, Aug. 25, 2010 A two-hour long multiple attack against Iraq’s fragile security forces took place in major cities throughout Iraq, leaving no region untouched. At least 92 Iraqis were killed and 379 more were wounded in the apparently coordinated attacks. Although security personnel were the focus of the violence, many civilians were caught up in the mayhem as well. The bloodiest attacks took place in relatively quiet Kut and in the capital. Meanwhile, a member of the Iraqiya list, which won the most seats in parliament, called for an emergency session to discuss today’s development. A similar day of violence in Baghdad last August was dubbed “Bloody Wednesday.” Today’s attacks may have left less casualties in their wake, but the reach of the attacks — from Basra to Ninewa to Diyala and Anbar, with Baghdad in the middle — was astouding by any measure.

Tuesday: 21 Iraqis Killed, 52 Iraqis Wounded

At least 21 Iraqis were killed and 52 more were wounded in various attacks across the country. The U.S. military said the number of U.S. troops in Iraq now numbers around 49,700 and will stay that way until next year’s actual withdrawal. This completes the removal of “combat troops” from the country.

Monday: 13 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded

At least 13 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in attacks across the country. One of the casualties came from an Iranian artillery attack launched into Iraqi Kurdistan. Meanwhile, the political deadlock over the next prime minister continued, but U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called for a resolution soon.

Friday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 8 Wounded

Updated at 8:29 p.m. EDT, Aug. 20, 2010 At least four Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in light violence. Despite the much-reported withdrawal of U.S. combat troops two days ago, a U.S. patrol came under a thermal bomb attack in Kirkuk. No casualties were reported in that incident. The U.S. military says that 52,000 American servicemembers remain in the country.