Updated at 8:55 p.m. EDT, July 19, 2009
At least four Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in a light day of violence. A U.S. Marine was killed in combat in Anbar province. So far, no outright attacks against Shi’ite pilgrims have been reported; however, a blast in Numaniya reminded pilgrims to stay alert to trouble as they head home from Baghdad.
Updated at 10:07 p.m. EDT, July 18, 2009
Today’s observances at the Imam Musa shrine in Baghdad suffered no attacks even though the millions of Shi’ite pilgrims who traveled there could have been potential targets for terror. Still, at least nine Iraqis were killed and 23 were wounded in other violence. No Coalition deaths were reported, but two Xe (formerly Blackwater) contractors were killed in a helicopter crash outside Baghdad; two more were wounded. In Arbil, Kurdish politicians rejected the partitioning of Kirkuk (At Tamim) province into four sections.
Updated at 5:03 p.m. EDT, July 17, 2009
At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 68 more were wounded on a busy prayer day. At least six bombings were directed at Shi’ite pilgrims traveling through Baghdad. Separately, three U.S. soldiers were killed during a Katyusha rocket attack at a base just outside of Basra at the airport.
At least two Iraqis were killed and 21 were wounded in the latest attacks. One attack was against Shi’ite pilgrims heading to Baghdad for an important religious observance. Another attack took place in Garma where Iraqi security forces killed a policeman. No Coalition troops were reported killed.
Updated at 11:36 p.m. EDT, July 15, 2009
At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 69 more were wounded on what would have been a quiet day if not for a bombing in Ramadi. The bombing and an unrelated arrest in another Anbar city may signal that the quiet province could once again see regular violence from Sunni militias.
Updated at 11:25 p.m. EDT July 14, 2009
Vehicle bans continued in Christian areas of Ninewa province. Across the country however, at least 10 Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded. One of the victims may have been dead since the Iran-Iraq War. Meanwhile, several legal cases are winding their way through Spanish, British, and even U.S. military courts. Also, one U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries yesterday in Baghdad.
Updated at 10:55 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2009
Iraq increased security after a spate of attacks against Christians and ahead of a major Shi’ite religious observance. At least three Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in the latest violence. No Coalition deaths were reported, but seven U.S. soldiers were injured in Sharqat.
The Iraqi army chief of staff, Gen. Babaker B. Shawkat Zebari, said attacks in Iraq could continue for years after the U.S. pullout in 2011. Meanwhile, Iraqi lawmaker Hanin al-Qadu, who represents Iraq’s Shabak minority in parliament, blamed Kurd militants for recent bombings in northern Iraq. At least nine Iraqis were killed and 30 more were wounded in today’s various attacks.
Updated at 6:05 p.m. EDT, July, 11, 2009
At least 18 Iraqis were killed and 82 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reiterated his call to change the constitution so that the central government increases its share of power. Also, two journalists groups are decrying abuses against journalists.
Updated at 11:36 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2009
The prayer day started out quietly. Only four Iraqi deaths were reported in the early hours, and another five Iraqis were wounded. The break in attacks comes only a day after the worst violence since the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities; however, a U.S. soldier killed an Iraqi civilian on a rural highway. No Coalition deaths were reported, but the mother of a British soldier who died in a Land Rover accident won the right to a legal review of the vehicle’s use. In Baghdad, a parliamentary meeting will be held to determine the reasons behind a delay implementing an amnesty law for Iraqi detainees. Also, the Iraqi soccer team won it’s first home game since 2002.
