Updated at 6:10 p.m. EDT, May 4, 2010
At least five Iraqis were killed and 21 more were wounded in the latest attacks, while two U.S. soldiers were killed in separate, non-combat events. The Mahdi Army has officially revived its public face in what it says is an attempt to keep violence in check and ensure the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Meanwhile, the British Ministry of Defence is looking into allegations that Britain took part in chemical warfare. Also, Iraqis have begun to address the psychological effects of the war and look into the number of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and similar conditions.
At least six Iraqis were killed and 16 more were wounded as a manual recount of ballots begin today in Baghdad. The contentious recount was not without its own controversy as the prime minister’s party found fault with the procedures that could help them win more seats in the new parliament.
Updated at 12:27 p.m. EDT, May 2, 2010
At least three Iraqis were killed and about 103 were injured in attacks in northern Iraq. The most significant attack targeted Christians in the Mosul area. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Maliki’s office has been accused of making death threats against a rival political party’s spokesman.
Vice President Hashimi made his feelings over post-election machinations known, while at least 12 Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, government figures showed a post-election increase in civilian deaths for April.
Updated at 8:49 p.m. EDT, Apr. 30. 2010
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in the latest violence. Also, a U.S. soldier was wounded in a blast in Adhamiya yesterday. Meanwhile, the prime minister criticized the use of international help to end an impasse created by a near dead heat in last month’s parliamentary elections.
Updated at 5:37 p.m. EDT, April, 29, 2010
Iraq officials are now expecting a ballot recount for Baghdad province to take two or three weeks, increasing the likelihood of election-related attacks. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 28 were injured in light violence today. Meanwhile, Ba’ath Party supporters met in Syria to discuss reforming the political party that was banned after the 2003 invasion.
Update at 4:50 p.m. EDT, April 28, 2010
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 31 more were wounded in several Baghdad attacks, and a roadside bomb blast killed a U.S. soldier in Diyala province. Meanwhile, several Christian groups have asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to encourage Iraqi authorities to protect Christians in Iraq. Also, Human Rights Watch released a report on a secret prison where Sunni detainees were tortured, raped and illegally detained.
Updated at 10:35 p.m. EDT, April, 27, 2010
At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in new attacks, but today’s measure of the situation in Iraq was best underscored by the prime minister personally ordering the release of hundreds of innocent detainees. Over the years, tens of thousands of Iraqis have been rounded up en masse and then released for lack of evidence. Over 100 new arrests across the country were reported today alone.
The formation of the new government was thrown into disarray as an Iraqi court began to disqualify candidates who ran in last month’s parliamentary elections. At least seven Iraqis were killed and 17 were wounded in new violence.
At least four Iraqis were killed and 34 people were wounded in today’s incidents. Two Indian nationals were killed in a blast in Arbil as well. Also, the Islamic State of Iraq confirmed two militants killed last week were Abu Ayyub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, but reports that Saddam’s vice president, Izzat al-Douri, was killed or captured were premature.
