Updated at 7:36 p.m. EDT, Aug. 28, 2009
Baghdad is under tight security as a funeral and procession for Shi’ite leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim takes place At least five Iraqis were killed and six were wounded in light, prayer day violence. Meanwhile, U.S. Army chief of staff Gen. George Casey said it was too early to determine if a recent spike in violence will change U.S. withdrawal plans.
Updated at 7:36 p.m. EDT, Aug. 27, 2009
Iraqis are observing a three-day mourning period following the death of Shi’ite Muslim leader Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, as his body travels through important Shi’ite cities on its way to burial in Najaf. This has not stopped the violence however. At least eight Iraqis were killed and 45 more were injured in the latest attacks.
Updated at 4:37 p.m. EDT, Aug. 26, 2009
At least seven Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in light violence. In neighboring Iran, the highly influential Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim has died of cancer. He was the head of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council and former leader of the Badr Brigades.
Updated at 5:55 p.m EDT, Aug. 25, 2009
At least six Iraqis were killed and 22 more were wounded in a number of small incidents across the country. The fallout from last week’s Baghdad bombings continues with Iraq and Syria both recalling their diplomats over a spat concerning a pair of suspected Saddam loyalists who are accused of ordering the blasts. Meanwhile, a U.S. officer spoke about having less work to do since handing over security to the Iraqis.
Updated at 8:42 p.m. EDT, Aug. 24, 2009
A major political development is shaking Iraq almost as much as today’s multiple blasts in Wassit province. Shi’ite political parties are realigning themselves against the Prime Minister’s party ahead of January elections. Meanwhile, at least 15 Iraqis were killed and 25 were wounded. Most were injured in a pair of bus bombings in Wassit province, where security measures were immediately tightened. Also, a U.S. family has learned that their soldier son’s death in Iraq may have been triggered by abuse from fellow soldiers.
Updated at 10:04 p.m. EDT, Aug. 23, 2009
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded. One U.S. soldier was also killed in combat in Baghdad as well. The Iraqi military released a videotaped confession from the alleged mastermind of Wednesday’s truck bombings. The former policeman revealed that the bombers bribed their way through security. Meanwhile, relatives of the victims in last months’ deadly bank robbery distrupted a trial in Baghdad today.
Updated at 9:14 p.m. EDT, Aug. 22, 2009
Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims together began Ramadan fasting today, for the first time since the fall of the Saddam regime. The holiday did not stop the violence. At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 11 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari suspects this week’s deadly bombings in the capital might have been an inside job.
Updated at 4:33 p.m. EDT, Aug. 21, 2009
At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 36 were wounded in the latest round of violence. Only one serious bombing was reported, but U.S. soldiers were involved in a shooting that left one Iraqi dead. Four U.S. soldiers were also charged with cruelty and maltreatment of soldiers in their platoon.
Updated at 6:52 p.m. EDT, Aug. 20, 2009
A series of bombings just south of Baghdad in Babel province have killed or wounded over 200 people just a day after a similar series of attacks in Baghdad. Unlike the ones in Baghdad, the blasts did not seem to target government buildings. At least three blasts were reported but reports are sketchy. Overall, at least 40 Iraqis were killed and 223 more were wounded across the country. The holy month of Ramadan begins tomorrow with the sighting of the crescent moon.
Updated at 12:14 p.m. EDT, Aug. 21, 2009
A series of explosions rocked Baghdad, killing at least 101 people and wounding 1,203 more just a day after the Baghdad Operations Command announced a new security plan. Elsewhere in Iraq, at least six Iraqis were killed and 20 more were wounded in other attacks. U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill expressed his disgust while on a visit to Kirkuk. He called the attackers “psychopathic.” Meanwhile, a U.S. soldier was killed in combat near Diwaniya.
