Friday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 7 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 4:19 p.m. EDT, Aug. 14, 2009 Friday was relatively peaceful for the first time in weeks. The recent surge in attacks has alarmingly included the prayer day as a main target. Last Friday, there were over 400 casualties reported. Only two Iraqis were killed and seven more wounded today. Instead, the break has given greater emphasis to a protest organized by the country’s journalists.

Thursday: 30 Iraqis Killed, 56 Wounded

Updated at 6:44 p.m. EDT, Aug. 13, 2009 Almost two years after a massive attack in Sinjar, another suicide bombing left over three-dozen new casualties today. At least 30 Iraqis were killed and 56 more were wounded in that and other attacks. Meanwhile, Iraqi authorities announced the start of a trial for five Iraqi presidential guards accused of bank robbery.

Tuesday: 1 US Soldier, 9 Iraqis Killed; 50 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 8:55 p.m. EDT, Aug. 11, 2009 At least nine Iraqis were killed and 50 more were wounded just a day after the bloodiest spasm of violence since the pullback of U.S. troops. A U.S. soldier died in Kuwait of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident as well. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti authorities arrested six people suspected of plotting an attack against the U.S. base there. Many U.S. soldiers there are either supporting the Iraq operation or are using the base as a transit point between Iraq and other locations. Also, the Pentagon admitted fears over Arab-Kurd tensions.

Monday: 72 Iraqis Killed, 356 Wounded

Updated at 7:35 p.m. EDT, Aug. 10, 2009 About 72 Iraqis were killed and 356 more were wounded in a devastating day in Iraq. Once again, Ninewa province and Baghdad bore the brunt of the violence. No Coalition deaths were reported. Back in the U.S. though, the Spokane VA Center reported that they had underestimated the suicide rate among local vets. Also, an Iran exile group accused the Iraqi government of human rights violations and asked the Pentagaon to retake control of Camp Ashraf, where about 3,500 Iranian exiles reside.

Sunday: 2 Foreign Contractors, 7 Iraqis Killed; 24 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 8:55 p.m. EDT, Aug. 9, 2009 A British contractor apparently killed two foreign contractors today in Baghdad’s Green Zone. At least seven Iraqis were killed and 24 more were wounded across the country, including one in the contractor incident. Meanwhile, a member of parliament’s defense committee said that only 10,000 U.S. troops would remain in Iraq by the middle of next year.

Friday: 61 Iraqis Killed, 338 Wounded

Updated at 11:45 p.m. EDT, Aug. 8, 2009 Over three million Shi’ite pilgrims peacefully visited Karbala to observe the birthday of the 12th Imam, a ninth century religious leader. An increase in security there may have spared those pilgrims in Karbala, but attacks targeting Shi’ites killed dozens across central and northern Iraq. Overall, at least 61 Iraqis were killed and 338 more were wounded throughout the country. Also, an Iranian passport was discovered next to a burnt corpse.