Only two successful attacks were reported on election eve; however, one was not only significant, it also harmed pilgrims visiting from Iran. At least three Iraqis and four Iranians were killed. Another 17 Iraqis and 37 Iranians were wounded. Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Ayad al-Samarrai, warned of years of conflict if the new government is not seen as just and does not work to solve discrimination.
Updated at 8:15 p.m. EST, March 5, 2010
On the last day of legal campaigning, no significant violence took place; however, at least one Iraq child was killed and nine more were wounded in minor attacks. Clerics used the prayer day to urge Iraqis to vote. In the U.K., British Prime Minister Gordon Brown testified at an inquiry, saying the war in Iraq was justified but the United States failed to head warnings over post-war chaos.
Early voting began today, and so election-related attacks heightened. At least 17 Iraqis were killed and 82 more were wounded in poll violence across the country. Those who cannot vote on Sunday were encouraged to take advantage of today’s special polling. They include about 850,000 security personnel, prisoners and hospital patients.
Diyala province was the scene of at least two attacks today, one massive. At least 37 Iraqis were killed and 66 more were wounded there and across Iraq. The attacks in Baquba and nearby Saidiya could be part of a campaign to undermine Sunday’s election.
The only city to report casualties, so far, today was Mosul, which saw one Iraqi death. Four other Iraqis were wounded there as well. Meanwhile, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi traveled to Damascus to help mend relations that were damaged when Baghdad blamed Syria for enabling deadly bombings last year. At the same time, Iraq has also improved relations with Kuwait by appointing its first ambassador in 20 years.
With only days left before Sunday’s national elections, Iraqi officials have confirmed an increase in Iraqi deaths over the last several weeks. Nevertheless, only one Iraqi was killed and six more were wounded in light violence today. Also, Kirkuk could become a battlefield after Sunday’s elections; some politicians would like to see U.S. troops keep the peace there.
Updated at 11:53 p.m. EST, Feb. 28, 2010
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in central and northern Iraq. Thousands of Christians and supporters spent the day protesting attacks against the minority group. Meanwhile, P.M. Maliki came out in support of an election blacklist while distancing from its creators. Also, there may be many more pre-election deaths occurring in Iraq than are being reported.
Light violence left at least one dead and eight wounded across Iraq.
In one case the number of wounded is unknown, but at least three casualties
were counted. U.S. forces also accidentally killed a tribal leader’s son. Meanwhile,
voters are heavily divided
ahead of the elections, but some Iraqis can still find humor
in the colorful campaigns styles of some candidates. Also, the Accountability and Justice Commission will
release
evidence they used to bar candidates.
In Arbil, gunmen attacked election campaign offices, beating up several guards and an employee.
The political contests are particularly heated in Iraqi Kurdistan, but detailed
reports of casualties have been hard to come by. Ten arrest warrants were issued.
At least one of the injured is a political
activist.
U.S. forces killed a tribal
chief’s son and wounded his wife in Kanaan. Villagers were
responding to unknown intruders in the night, and the troops fired back.
In Baghdad, an I.E.D. wounded four people.
Gunmen targeted the home of a political candidate in Qaim,
but they left no
casualties.
Four suspects were arrested over involvement in
recent bombings across Anbar province. Police will employ strict security measures
ahead of the election.
Karbala police will deploy 1,000 policewomen
along with another 15,000 male security personnel during an operation to protect
polling centers.
Iraqi families struggle
with the high rents and small supply of adequate housing.
Updated at 6:49 p.m. EST, Feb. 26, 2010
At least four Iraqis were killed and 48 more were wounded in prayer day violence. It appears that reporters have returned to Mosul after a brief hiatus. Regular reports of attacks have resumed, perhaps in response to a surge in attacks against Christians. In nearby Suleimaniyah, however, reports are having a difficult time leaking out. Also, three mass graves holding hundreds of children killed during the Saddam era were discovered in Kirkuk.
Updated at 8:29 p.m. EST, Feb. 25, 2010
At least six Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in the latest violence. A blast in Fallujah could increase those figures as details about the bombing emerge later. Meanwhile, a leading Sunni party has decided to participate in next month’s elections despite the barring of one of its most popular members.
